#Marlene: we’re going through the surgery. there’s no other option.

[whisperwillyou]

Not to victim blame but honestly everything that happened in that hospital is on Marlene. Joel straight up told her to her face he was planning mass murder, not his fault she didn’t think he could do it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[potionsprefect]

A United Workforce

Pairings: Ethan Ramsey x Victoria Clarke, June Hirata x Tobias Carrick, Danny Cardinal x Sienna Trinh (all minor)

Word count: 4k

Summary: How did those associated with the victims cope with the Senator attack?

Missing moments during Open Heart book 2 chapter 11

Rating: Teen

Category: angst

Warnings: mentions of the events during chapter 11 of Open Heart book 2

Diagnostics Room 1:10pm

June had been smiling at her phone for the last 20 minutes, much to the amusement of Baz who was sat reading a medical book.

“What’s made you so happy June?” Baz asked.

June looked up a little too quickly but kept a cool and composed face. “Is a woman not allowed to be happy without a reason?”

“Not when it comes to you.” Baz chuckled.

“Ok fine. Let’s just say I got lucky.” June shrugged.

“Anyone I know?”

“Even if you did you wouldn’t have a witty remark to say about him.”

Baz rolled his eyes and went back to his book. June continued to text Tobias:

My place or yours tonight?

It didn’t take long for a reply.

That depends. How quickly can you put the key in your front door?

June smirked at the reply but before she could answer his question her pager went off.

Diagnostics Room - emergency

She looked at Baz who was looking at her with the same confused look.

“You don’t think somethings happened to the Senator?” Baz asked.

“Whatever it is, it sounds urgent.” June jumped out of her chair and hurried out the door, Baz following her quickly behind.

They sprinted down the hallway and down the stairs where they found Ethan pacing nervously.

“Ethan what’s happened?” Baz asked.

“Travis has released something dangerous in the room with Victoria inside. Rafael Aveiro, Danny and Bobby are also inside.” Ethan explained.

“Do we know what it is?” Baz said.

“No, there could be hundreds of options. We desperately need to find out what it is. Bobby has already died and the others are critical.” Ethan took a deep breath but his voice was still shaky.

“Take a deep breath. We need to stay calm for Victoria. If we panic, it’ll give her reason to panic.” June said looking at Ethan. Given the recent conversation she had with Victoria, she was convinced that her and Ethan were in some sort of relationship. And given how panicked he looked right now, June was sure she was right.

“You’re right. We can’t panic. We need to keep a level head.” Ethan said grabbing a hazmat suit. “We’ll need to put these on to protect ourselves.”

“Are there any traces in the room?” June asked as the three headed down the corridor.

“No whatever was in the can has been fully discharged. There were no traces anywhere.” Ethan replied.

“So whatever it is only lives within their bodies?” Baz said.

“Exactly. It could be a long night.”

June’s mind drifted to all the obstacles they had faced in the past. None were as serious as this but they hadn’t been beaten yet and were certainly not going to be beaten now.

Whatever this was would not win. Not if she had anything to say about it.

— — — — —

Room 516 1:23pm

The nurse looked at her colleague as he took shallow breaths in the glass box, his oxygen mask trying to help him as much as it could.

“Danny, listen to me, you are not dying you hear me!” Sarah said through tears. “You are not leaving us so soon.”

Danny gave a weak chuckle, momentarily taking off his oxygen mask. “Well now I know I can’t even observe the Grim Reaper from a distance.”

“This isn’t funny Danny.” Sarah sighed.

“I know it’s not. But that’s how I deal with situations.” Danny replied.

Marlene then entered the room in a hazmat suit, her bloodshot eyes showed she had been crying.

“Oh Danny. How did you get yourself entangled in all this.” Marlene sighed.

“You know me. Always looking for trouble.” Danny chuckled.

Danny’s breathing turned into slight wheezing, it was clear he was struggling to breathe. Sarah, who’s hand was holding one of Danny’s noticed the grip had weakened.

“No, no Danny. Danny? Stay with us. You’ve got to keep your eyes open. Don’t shut your eyes.” Sarah pleaded but it was a losing battle.

Danny’s eyes flickered, as if he was desperately fighting to stay awake but he couldn’t. His eyes shut and his hand dropped away.

“Page the diagnostics team.” Sarah said. Marlene nodded and grabbed her pager writing the message as quickly as she could.

Danny wasn’t moving. His breaths were short and shallow and his body was desperately trying to fight whatever was in his system.

Whatever this was was cruel. And it was effecting everyone.

— — — — —

Mass Kenmore 1:38pm

Aurora smiled to herself as she walked out of a patients room, file in hand. She had successfully diagnosed a benign tumour in the breast of a patient and was happy that it would simply have to be removed in surgery.

Aurora was always glad to give news like that because it wasn’t just the news the patient hoped for. Delivering good news was always better than delivering bad news.

Aurora filled in the chart and filed it away, satisfied with her work. As she looked up she saw a face looking at her.

“Successful diagnosis Aurora?” The Doctor asked.

Aurora did all she couldn’t to hold back a sarcastic retort. She didn’t like socialising with this doctor outside of the hospital walls. Not after what he did.

“Yes Dr Olsen.” Aurora gave him a thin smile.

“That’s great. Personally I’ve diagnosed three patients this morning but whose counting?” Landry smirked.

“You by the sounds of it.” Aurora retorted. She’d have this one only once.

A flicker of surprise danced across Landry’s face but he hid it well and recomposed himself.

“So how is... uh... everyone?” Landry fidgeted.

“Why do you care?” Aurora asked.

“I’m just making conversation.”

“Well don’t. I don’t want to speak to you. And neither would anyone here if they found out what you did back at Edenbrook.” Aurora glared.

“You can’t talk to me like that!” Landry glared back.

“And what are you going to do about it? Turn off my pager? Hide my charts? Spread hurtful rumours to my colleagues about me? Is that how low Landry Olsen will go?” Aurora got in his face.

“I��d do it again if it meant fairness for all.” Landry sneered.

“You little-“

Aurora’s phone cut off the sentence. She looked at her phone

You need to get over to Edenbrook NOW. Something’s happened to Victoria.

Aurora froze. Her and Victoria weren’t on the best of terms at the minute. Her outburst at the baseball match was over the top.

But from Elijah’s text, Victoria sounded like she was in danger. And if she was in danger, Aurora was going to be there for her.

“Aurora?” Landry’s voice tore her away from the text.

“I... I have to go.” Aurora said, putting her things down and straightening her coat.

“Is everything ok?”

“Nothing that concerns you.”

“You walk out of here and I’ll tell Tobias you’re bunking off.”

Aurora whipped her head round and strode up to Landry, gripping his arm tightly.

“You do that and I’ll tell everyone in this hospital what a snivelling little rat you really are, how you’ll do anything to make sure you’re in the graces of Kenmore’s gods. How Landry Olsen already fucked it up once and will almost certainly do it again because he cares about no one but himself. And if he ever thinks about trying the stunts he pulled off at Edenbrook, he will be out of this hospital faster than Usain Bolt’s 100m world record.” Aurora said through gritted teeth before she let go of Landry’s arm and walked out the hospital.

She ran down the street as fast as she could, dodging everyone in quick movements, desperate to get to Edenbrook. The tone of the text made it sound serious and the panic rising in Aurora’s chest wouldn’t settle until she knew what was going on.

Aurora entered the hospital searching the large reception area for any sign of her roommates, when she couldn’t see them she headed further into the hospital, finding them by the nurses station.

“I got here as fast as I could.” Aurora panted, the panic in her chest was made worse by the grave look on her roommates and Bryce’s face. “What’s happened?”

“There’s been an attack on the Senator. His aide released something in his room with Victoria and Rafael inside, Danny and Bobby the security guard were also there as well.” Bryce explained as they rushed upstairs.

“What was it?” Aurora asked.

“We don’t know. Travis didn’t say what was in it.” Bryce sighed.

“I didn’t think you’d come.” Sienna looked at Aurora.

“Whatever is going on between Victoria and I doesn’t matter right now. What matters is I’m here for her. And she’d do the same.” Aurora said. “I’m sorry you’ve all been caught in the middle of it this past week, I don’t think either of us want you taking sides.”

“What’s important is we’re all here for her now. And Rafael. Whatever this is, it sounds bad. Doctor Ramsey was organising for a decontamination tent so he and the diagnostics team can enter and exit the room safely.” Bryce explained.

“That makes it sound toxic.” Elijah shuddered.

“We have to keep positive. For Victoria and Raf’s sake. They’re probably terrified.” Jackie sighed.

“Agreed. If we panic, they’ll panic. We have to stay strong.” Sienna replied.

Aurora nodded and continued rushing down the corridor where Victoria and Rafael were. When she saw them, her heart stopped.

“Oh thank god you’re still standing.” Aurora said.

Their bodies looked tired, their eyes bloodshot, their hair disheveled. Rafael looked much worse than Victoria. He looked pleased to see them whilst Victoria looked slightly anxious.

“You guys shouldn’t be here.” Victoria sighed.

“Don’t be silly. As long as we stay on this side of the door we’ll be fine.” Jackie sighed.

“How did you get here Aurora? You’re supposed to be at Mass Kenmore.”

“I cut out as soon as Elijah text me. You’re in trouble so I’m here. That’s that.”

She could’ve sworn she saw Sora out the corner of her eye but she didn’t take her eyes of Victoria, desperate to show her that she was determined to put the past behind her and be here for her now. Whatever had happened had been long forgotten.

Aurora was determined to help cure whatever had gotten inside Victoria’s body. And she wouldn’t rest until she found a cure.

— — — — —

Labratory 6:25pm

This must’ve been the hundredth vial of blood Ethan had looked at today. He put it in the machine and waited for the results. It was a repetitive process and Ethan was beginning to get frustrated.

Ticking off every possible cause one by one was irritating him. They needed to find out what it was, they didn’t have time to go through every possible idea. If they continued with this much longer, Victoria and Rafael’s system could shut down.

Images of Victoria flashed through his mind. He felt like he was letting her down. He had managed to solve everything they had faced before. Why was this so difficult?

Before Ethan could find out the results from the machine, his pager went off.

Code blue room 516.

“Shit!” Ethan said out loud and took off down the corridor, June hot on his heels.

“Did you get the same page?” June shouted, their footsteps loud on the hard floor.

“Yes! We can’t lose him. We can’t.” Ethan’s voice cracked and he could feel tears forming in his eyes.

Ethan and June quickly put on the hazmat suit and burst through the door.

“His BP’s low.” Marlene said working through the monitors.

“I can’t feel a pulse.” Sarah said looking at the doctors.

“Start CPR and push the adrenaline.” June instructed.

Ethan grabbed the crash cart, he desperately tried to stop his hands from trembling.

“Stand back.” Ethan said, he placed the pads on Danny’s chest and shocked him. There was no improvement.

“Push lidocaine.” June said to Sarah who nodded.

Another 15 minutes went by and there was still no change in Danny’s condition. Panic had fully set in Ethan’s chest and judging by the looks of his colleagues, they felt the same way.

“Ethan.” June said taking the panels off him. She gently put them down. “He’s gone.” There were tears rolling down her face.

Ethan wasn’t sure he heard her, the sound of the monitor was deafening. He stared down at Danny, it looked as if he was sleeping. That he would wake up at any point.

But Ethan knew he wouldn’t.

“Time of death 6:51.” Ethan said in a shaky voice. He looked over at June who was looking down at Danny with sad eyes, Sarah and Marlene were crying quietly. Ethan then looked up and regretted it instantly.

Sienna was stood outside the window, being held up by Jackie, crying her eyes out. Ethan’s heart broke for her. He was sure if it was Victoria in front of him he’d have the same reaction.

Ethan didn’t even want to think about that. Losing Victoria would mean the end of the world for him.

As June turned off the monitor, Ethan headed out the room and took off the hazmat suit. He approached Sienna and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and before he could react, she went to hug him, still crying, gripping the lapels of his lab coat.

Ethan didn’t hesitate to comfort her. He had shared his feelings for Victoria with her not that long ago and right now she needed a shoulder to cry on. He was sure she’d be comforting him if it was the other way round.

“We got the results back from the machine.” Jackie said quietly, her eyes glistening with tears.

“And?” Ethan asked.

Jackie’s hesitation told Ethan everything he needed to know.

“It’s not good news.”

— — — — —

Labratory 6:28pm

Baz glanced at his two colleagues as they sprinted out the door. His pager had also gone off but he decided to wait for the results from the machine. June and Ethan were more than capable of handling whatever they were about to face.

The beeping of the machine startled him and he reached over and ripped out a set of results. Baz scanned them, seeing lots of ticks everywhere. He breathed a sigh of relief but then he noticed what it said next to them.

A maitotoxin.

Baz’s heart sank. It wasn’t good news. Yes they knew what it was but maitotoxins were deadly and there was no cure to them.

Fuck you Travis.

“What is it?” Aurora asked.

Baz handed her the results. The others craned their necks trying to read what the paper said. Their faces faded as their eyes scanned it. Sienna let our a little whimper, Jackie kicked the chair in frustration, Bryce ran his hands through her hair and Elijah felt a tear roll down his cheek.

“Is there nothing we can do?” Bryce shakily asked.

“I’m afraid not.” Baz sighed, tears swimming in his eyes.

“We should tell Ethan and June.” Jackie nudged Sienna and she nodded as they both headed out the room.

“How did he get ahold of that?!” Elijah sighed.

“We may never know.” Baz sighed.

Aurora who still held the results in her hand tossed the paper away and pulled her phone out her pocket. “The fights not over yet.” She said and she headed out the door as her phone rang.

“Pick up pick up pick up.” Aurora muttered hoping she would hear the voice she wanted to hear.

“Dr Emery?” A voice said.

“Thank god you answered.” Aurora sighed in relief.

“Where are you? Doctor Olsen said you ran out of the hospital hours ago? What’s going on?” Tobias asked.

“There’s been an incident at Edenbrook. Senator Farrugia’s aide Travis has deployed a maitotoxin in his hospital room with Doctor Clarke inside.”

“A maitotoxin?”

“Yes! It turns out he’s been poisoning the Senator in some sort of revenge plan. We need all the help we can get. Please Tobias. One person had already died and two others are seriously ill. We need your help.” Aurora pleaded. She had never resorted to begging for help, but this was a life or death situation.

“I’ll grab the team and we’ll be right over. Clarke’s not dying. Not on my watch.” Tobias said.

“Thank you Tobias.” Aurora said and hung up. She headed back into the room where she saw Baz staring at his pager. “What is it?”

Baz handed her his pager and Aurora’s heart stopped.

Danny died. Rafael is in a coma.

Tears were spilling down Aurora’s face. Travis’ actions had claimed another life and Rafael was going downhill.

They needed a cure and they needed it now.

— — — — —

Hospital Corridor 2:56am

The Paediatric wing was one of the most decorative floors in the hospital, pictures of sea animals lined the walls, hoping to calm the children who were sent there for treatment down.

Bryce wasn’t sure why he was walking around this specific floor. He had intended to check on Kyra again but had taken a detour mid route. Maybe seeing the children sleep peacefully would help calm his nerves.

The team were working tirelessly to find a cure for Victoria and Rafael. He had already lost Danny, he couldn’t lose two other friends. He felt helpless. He was only a surgeon who could offer ideas, it was the doctors who put the theories to use.

Bryce came to a stop outside Kyra’s room. She was sleeping peacefully. Her chest was heavily bandaged but she was alive. She had made it through the worst.

“Your friend is very lucky.” A familiar voice said. Bryce turned his head and saw Dr Tanaka walking towards him.

“Any complications?” Bryce asked.

“None. Her vitals are good. I think she’ll make a full recovery.”

“That’s great.”

“How’s it going upstairs?”

“Not great if I’m honest but we’re trying to stay positive.” Bryce sighed.

“Don’t give up hope Lahela. Hope is never lost.” Tanaka said before he headed off back down the corridor.

Bryce took one last look at Kyra before he headed back upstairs to where the team were working, determined not to let the maitotoxin win.

They would find a cure. And they would find it soon.

— — — — —

Labratory 4:02am

“The moment of truth.” Tobias said. He took the pipette in his hand and gently squeezed it.

This was it. If this wasn’t the cure they would be back to square one. Everyone watched with baited breath. You could hear a pin drop.

They were almost waiting for the worst. They had been back and forth so many times, if this didn’t work they wouldn’t be surprised.

And in the blink of an eye, they had the answer they had been hoping and praying for.

It has worked. The compound was sure not to bind to the plasma membranes. It would attach to the toxin.

Cheers flooded the room. Sienna practically burst into tears. There were hugs to go all around.

They had done it.

“We need to give it to them. Now.” Tobias said.

“Go to Rafael first. He’s much more serious.”Jackie said.

June and Baz nodded and rushed out the room.

“Did Ethan stay with Victoria all night?” Tobias asked.

“Looks like it. I think he wanted to keep her company.” Sienna replied.

“Is that all?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve known Ethan for a long time. He’s never shown this much dedication to someone ever. He’s completely infatuated with her.” Tobias chuckled.

Sienna, mindful of the conversation she had with Ethan earlier replied “he cares about her a lot because they work closely together.”

“With all respect Doctor Trinh I think he cares about her a lot more than you think. You should’ve seen him at Mr Bloom’s mansion. Ethan was prepared to walk out of there and never see the man again but Doctor Clarke was the only one who could’ve persuaded him to stay. And he did. Because of her.” Tobias said.

“Would you say he’s-“

“Madly in love with her? Yes I would. Now all he has to do is tell her.” Tobias laughed a little.

Sienna thought back to the conversation she had in Ethan’s car.

I decided it would be better for her career if we kept our distance.

She knew how much Victoria cared for the older doctor but she didn’t realise just how much. She thought catching her sneaking him out of her room last year was just blowing off some steam.

It was clearly much more than that.

— — — — —

Room 172 8:21am

Sienna’s eyes were so puffy from crying she could barely keep them open, the fatigue was catching up on her. Her whole body was sore.

She was currently sat outside Rafael’s room on the floor, desperately praying for him to wake up. Victoria was out of the woods. Now it was all down to Rafael to get the all clear. One down one to go.

Her heart ached for Danny and Bobby. Bobby always said hello to her whenever she arrived for her shift, whenever she was feeling down his jokes would cheer her up.

But Danny held the biggest spot in her heart. Joint with Victoria of course.

She always thought there was a little spark there. She knew he felt it too. Now she would be kicking herself for not pursuing it sooner. They could’ve had months together before all this.

Fat tears rolled down her cheeks again and she didn’t even try and stop them.

“Doctor Trinh he’s awake!” Sarah said from the doorway.

Sienna scrambled to her feet and approached Rafael’s bedside.

“Rafael? Can you hear me?”

“Sienna?” Rafael’s eyes darted to her.

“Look at me. Do you remember what happened?”

“Yeah. The attack on the Senator. Wasn’t I just talking to Victoria? Where am I now?” Rafael groaned.

“Take it easy, you were in a coma.” Sienna replied.

“What?! Did you find a cure? Is Victoria ok?” Rafael tried to sit up but winced in pain.

“Rafael no sudden movements! We found a cure. You’ve both been given it. Victoria’s fine, she’s recovering down the hall.” Sienna glared at him.

“Thank god.” Rafael breathed a sigh of relief.

Ethan then walked in the room and asked Rafael similar questions. When he was certain Rafael was clear, he turned to Sienna.

“You better go tell Victoria. I know she’ll be glad to hear Mr Aveiro’s ok. Good work Doctor Trinh.” Ethan smiled.

Sienna beamed and sprinted out the door and down the corridor, telling everyone and anyone she saw that Rafael was ok.

— — — — —

Room 172 9:34am

“Did someone say there was a party in here?” Bryce stuck his head in Rafael’s room.

“It ain’t a party until Bryce turns up.” Victoria laughed from one of the seats next to Rafael’s bed.

“Good answer.”

“Where’s Aurora?” Jackie asked.

“She’s got a shift soon, she went home to get some sleep.” Victoria replied.

“I can’t wait to hit my bed and not be interrupted for at least twelve hours.” Jackie sighed.

“Twelve? Catch me not waking up in fifteen.” Elijah laughed.

“Doctor Ramsey’s given us today off. Although he’s making us come in at 6am tomorrow.” Sienna said when Victoria shared a confused look with her.

“The more things change the more others stay the same huh?” Victoria laughed a little.

“Just work your magic on him, I’m sure he’ll bend the rules then.” Jackie winked.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Sure.”

“I’m glad you two are ok. I don’t know what would’ve happened if...” Sienna trailed off, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“You don’t have to think like that Sienna. We’re ok. Not perfect but we’re alive.” Rafael took her hand.

“We’re not going anywhere Sienna. We’re here. I promise.” Victoria smiled.

“Last night was awful. I’m glad it’s behind us.” Sienna smiled sadly.

Victoria looked round at her friends all nodding in agreement. Her heart filled with warmth.

“Me too.”

— — — — —

Thank you for travelling on the angst train to your heart. We hoped you enjoyed your journey 😉

Hope you enjoy this! (If enjoy is the right word 😂🤷���‍♀️) Lmk if you would like to be tagged. I’m gonna go cry now 😢

Tag list: @ohchoices @openheartfan @queencarb @genevievemd @iemcpbchoices @choicesaddict5 @schnitzelbutterfingers @alina-yol-ramsey @i-bloody-love-drake-walker @stygianflood

[amarabliss]

Keep’em - 4 (Joel Miller/Reader)

My love was reignited so I will indulge you with more of this for a sec...

Little blurbs of traveling with Joel Miller and Ellie from The Last of Us…

Part One  Part Two Part Three

Joel walked in slowly looking at you laying on the infirmary bed. You were so pale, hooked up to oxygen and a heart monitor, while blood dripped from a bag into your arm. It was too close…too damn close….

He sat down taking your hand in his, “You can’t leave me…alright? I know I’m a cradle robber…you said it yourself, but I don’t care…I’ve made it this far to know you…and I wanna…”

He choked up putting a hand over his eyes, “I wanna tell you…to your face…eyes wide open how it all is going to be from this point on.”

He wiped his hand over his face before looking at you again, “You scared the shit out of me you know…I thought for sure…dammit…”

He brought your hand up to his mouth kissing your cold fingers over and over before pressing the back of your hand against his cheek. He shut his eyes just resting a moment in your presence, happy that you were at least still breathing.

His eyes snapped opened to the feeling of your fingers squeezing his hand. He squeezed back looking at your face, “Lemme know you hear me…”

You squeezed his hand again and he felt his heart leap for joy as he let out a relieved sound, “Yer okay…yer safe and jest need to rest…”

You didn’t’ open your eyes as you whispered, “…socks…”

He let out a laugh nodding a little, “I’ll see if you’re allowed to take them off. Jest rest now…”

*************************************

“Ellie…I’m talking to you.” You frowned a little as you heard Joel talking to the poor girl as you stepped into an abandoned RV. She was was having a hard time still. You didn’t blame her, being held by a psychotic cannibal did that to you.

“Hm…oh sorry…” You heard her say quietly. It made your heart hurt and reminded that this intensely strong little girl was still just that…a little girl… No fourteen year old should have to have the weight of the world on their shoulders like this.

“You’ve been awfully quiet…” He was so worried about her. He kept asking you for advice, to which you replied you had none. You’d never worked with kids…and you never had any…despite that it was nice to know he cared enough to include you.

“Yeah…sorry…just thinking…” Ellie told him quietly before letting out some air paste her lips, “We should keep going…we’re almost there.”

Joel let out a big sigh as you stepped out of the RV holding up a first aid kit you’d found, “I’m worried about her…”

“Me too.”You turned around as he took the kit to put in your bag, “Joel…I’ve got a bad feeling about all of this…”

“What do you mean?” His eyes widened as you looked over to Ellie. She was staring at a mural on the wall, no doubt wondering if she’d ever get to see the animals the zoo had offered once.

You turned around to face him, and your voice came out strained, “Let’s just go…take Ellie back to Jackson and be done…”

He let out another sigh before scratching the back of his head, “I…I feel the same…but it’s gotta be up to her. Ellie…she’s gotta make up her own mind about it.”

“She’s fourteen…” You readjusted your backpack, “she shouldn’t have to make these decisions.”

*************************************

“Ellie!”  You heard Joel shouting as you surfaced from the water. You coughed dragging yourself up to the bank. When you lifted your head you saw Joel doing chest compressions on the girl, “Come on baby girl…breathe for me…breathe…”

You felt yourself getting cold not because of the water but because of the fear you were feeling of losing someone so precious to you. Images of her reading from that god-awful pun book popped into your head. You’d give anything to hear her tell you one now.

You noticed movement and stood to your feet, “Stay back!”

Your eyes darted back and forth between the dozen soldiers that were coming toward you. They kept their guns up as Joel glanced up, “She’s not breathing!”

“Stay back! We’re not a threat! We’re not infected!” You shouted at them stepping in front of Joel and Ellie, “Get back!”

“Get on the ground! Get on the ground!” They began shouting at you. You could still hear Joel behind you begging Ellie to wake up. Overwhelmed you glanced back and was quickly overtaken by two guards.

“Joel!” You shouted back as they hit him in the head, “Stop we’re here for the fireflies!”

One of them snapped their head back to you making the connection, “Stop! Save the girl! It’s Ellie!”

“Shit…” They let you go and started pulling out gear from their pack. You started to go forward and they raised their hand, “Stay back…we got it.”

*************************************

You sat next to the hospital bed staring at Joel still passed out in the bed. Clearly he needed the rest, and you had definitely had thought about knocking him out yourself sometimes. You stole another glance to Marlene. Still unmoving…

“I can I see Ellie?” You sat back looking at her fully, “She has to be up by know…”

“Believe me if she was I would’ve been at her side already.” Marlene spat back at you, “You don’t need to worry about her anymore. She’s under my care…”

You felt your face twitch and was about to speak when Joel started to move, “Joel…take it easy…”

“Mm…Ellie…” He looked at you worry racing through his eyes.

“She’s okay…we revived her…” You helped him sit up.

“She’s being prepped for surgery…” You looked back at her and instantly Marlene knew she fucked up, “We had to move quickly…”

“You said she was resting…” You practically growled at her.

“You don’t need to worry anymore…” Marlene repeated.

“I worry…when can I see her?” Joel questioned her. It was obvious when he squeezed your hand that he was not oblivious to Marlene’s true intent.

*************************************

“Put her in the car Joel…” You held the gun up toward Marlene as she took another step, “Don’t be stupid…”

“You can't save her. Even if you get out of here, then what? How long before she's torn to pieces by a pack of Clickers? That is, if she hasn't been raped and murdered first?” Marlene shook her head as Joel began to walk, she started to follow and you stepped in the way.

“That ain’t for you to decide…” Joel shook his head as he stepped carefully away.

Marlene raised her voice getting Joel to stop, “It's what she'd want. And you know it. You can still do the right thing here. She won't feel anything.”

“Joel…” You knew if you had to, you’d fight him too. There wasn’t a guarantee that the procedure would work.

“Joel listen to me…” The shot rang out and you watched Marlene fall to the ground. You looked at Joel seeing the smoking gun in his hand.

He took a step toward Marlene and you stepped in front of him, “Take care of Ellie…”

He stared into your eyes before nodding and running toward a car. You turned back to Marlene, “Let me go…please…”

You knelt down next to her staring her into her eyes, “I love that man…and that little girl…you tried to have him killed and definitely were going to kill her…do you really think I’d let you go?”

“Ellie…would…” You looked away for a moment as she begged, “Please…I won’t come after you…”

“Yeah…sometimes kids don’t know who to trust…” You looked back to her sadly shaking her head, “And yet…they almost always will trust adults…”

You shot her once making it painless before stand up and walking toward the running car. You got into the passenger side not speaking as Joel drove out of the parking garage away from this hell hole of a city…

Once they made it to the highway, getting enough distance to feel safe, you spoke quietly, “…what do we tell her?”

“…I…” He took in a deep breath shaking his head, “…there isn’t a cure.”

You looked at him seeing the pain on his face, “…there wasn’t a guarantee it would work. It’s not a lie.”

He looked at you frowning, “They had other options…other kids like her…”

You both hashed it out for a while until the story was your new truth. When Ellie finally woke up you felt your stomach drop as Joel told her, “We found the Fireflies. Turns out, there's a whole lot more like you, Ellie. People that are immune. It's dozens actually. Ain't done a damn bit of good neither. They've actually st- They've stopped looking for a cure. I'm taking us home.”

You turned in your seat to look at her seeing how heartbroken she was, “I’m sorry, Ellie…”

“…yeah…” She frowned laying down facing away from them.

You looked at Joel frowning. He took in a deep breath before he reached over taking your hand in his. At least the two of you didn’t have to bear it alone…

*************************************

You had stopped for potential supplies…it had turned into a fire fight…

You shot up gasping for air before cringing grabbing your neck as pain rippled through your body. Warm hand fell onto your shoulder easing you back down, “Take it easy, Y/N…you’ll rip your stiches.”

“Tommy?” You stared at him as you fell back, “What happened?”

He looked at you with a small smile, “You did what I asked…can’t thank you enough. Seems like it might’uh cost you a bit more then I anticipated.”

“In the world we live in…I’m sure could have been in worst situations…” You shut your eyes, “Joel and Ellie?”

“Ellie is helping out around town…Joel…” Tommy sighed, “Well he finally went to sleep yesterday and hasn’t moved since. Seems like he was stressed…”

“When isn’t he…” You smirked a little reaching up to your neck wincing.

“Leave it alone…” Tommy smacked your hand.

“It itches!” You growled at him opening your eyes. They moved to movement behind him, “Ellie?”

She slowly stepped inside looking at you, “Hi…”

Tommy smiled waving her over, “Will you sit her a minute while I get doc and make sure she don’t do nothin’ stupid?”

“Yes sir!” Ellie smiled at him as he walked out. She turned back to you, “So…how ya feelin’?”

“About how you think…” You smiled at her seeing her stand a bit away, “What’s up kiddo?”

Her eyes darted away as she picked at her thumbnail, “It’s nothing…it can wait tell you and Joel are feeling better.”

“Ellie…” You reached your hand out to her making her finally come closer, “What’s wrong?”

She sighed, “I asked Joel…and he said…He said everything that you both said about the Fireflies was real…and I just…I don’t know…”

“Ellie look at me.” You watched her lift her head looking to your eyes, “That place couldn’t do anything for you or the world…they tried and they failed…there was never any guarantees. Maybe one day…Hopefully one day…that will change.”

You watched her tear up nodding slowly, “Okay…”

You squeezed her hand giving her a smile, “Did you meet Dina and her crew yet?”

“Yeah, Jesse and Emily too…they seem cool…I guess…” You smiled as she started to talk about her day. Everything…was finally beginning to settle…and you wondered if it was a good thing.

You hoped it was a good thing…