Chapter Text
-Ellie-
Ten years. It had been ten years since Joel’s… passing. Ten years since Ellie lost herself to the monster within. Nine years since she walked away from her family. Nine years since she had completely shattered. And eight years since she slowly started to try and piece together what was left of her.
The hammer landed a bit harder on the metal Ellie was working. She paused, took in a deep breath and pushed out the lingering pain. Now was not the time to scream or cry. She could do that later. She turned and shoved the metal into the water bucket, the familiar hiss and steam filling the air and soothing her nerves.
Ellie had begun apprenticing with the smith several months after her return to Jackson. George, a fifty year old burly man, had arrived in town while she was… away the second time. He caught her wandering the streets one morning, taking in the quiet of the town before sunrise, and asked her for help with moving some materials. Their relationship, and her interest in metal working, grew from there.
George willingly taught her everything he knew. Before the end of the world, he’d been a renowned blacksmith. People from all over the world requested everything from weapons to decorations from him, which had made him ‘well of,’ as he would put it.
When the virus spread, he’d bunkered down with his family and friends, and they’d been alright for years. Living in a secluded, southern town, not many infected found them, but raiders… well, raiders eventually found everyone.
George had lost his wife, two of his children, his brother, and nephew during a raider attack. The people left became nomadic, and they slowly lost more and more of their small community. After a long journey and many attempts at settling down, George and what was left of his family found Jackson, and the rest was history.
“You good?” George called from the other side of the smith.
“Yup,” Ellie replied before continuing her work. The day flew by after their minute interaction. Between customized orders and welding, Ellie had plenty of work to keep her mind clear.
It was almost five in the afternoon when she was finished cleaning the smith and wiping herself down, clearing enough dirt and grime so her face, hands and arms would be clean enough to stop by the general store before heading home.
She locked up the supplies and made her way to the store, the summer sun warming her back, adding more sweat to her drenched clothes. She picked up her pace, wanting to shower and have a moment of quiet as soon as possible. It was Friday, the day all of the community met in the town square to eat and dance and ‘bond.’ She still wasn’t a fan of large gatherings, but it didn’t cause her distress anymore. Occasionally, she had fun, but more often than not she counted the hours until she could leave.
The bell to the general store dinged as she opened it, and she was greeted by a smiling Jenny.
“Ellie,” the younger woman said with a nod. “Here for your package?”
“Hey Jen, how was your day?” Ellie asked, returning the smile and ignoring the question. “Mine was good, thanks for asking.”
The younger woman rolled her eyes. “You’re so annoying,” Jenny huffed, still smiling. “Today’s been the same as every other day. A bit busier with the new supplies. The trade route you set up has boomed business.”
“Wasn’t just me who set it up.”
Jenny rolled her eyes again. “Yeah, yeah. Continue to not take compliments. Don’t even know why I bother. Give me a minute to grab your stuff.”
Ellie looked around while she waited, a small swell of pride filling her chest. The shelves were almost full in the small store, with everything from repaired old world goods to materials the town hadn’t had open access to before. She had helped with the trade route, which had helped businesses and the town. She’d never admit it allowed, but she was happy about the part she played.
Her gaze drifted to the large window, giving her a clear view of the main street. People were already making their way to the square, some carrying food, others carrying games or home brewed alcohol. Children were skipping and jumping, bodies thrumming with excitement. Parents laughed and smiled. Couples held hands and strolled slowly. Elderly walked in small groups, enjoying conversation and fresh air. It brought a small grin to her face.
“Here,” Jenny said, placing her package on the counter.
“Thank you,” Ellie said as she tucked the bundle under her arm. “See you later?”
“Yeah,” the younger woman sighed out. “Hopefully someone will ask me to dance tonight.”
She rolled her eyes this time. “You keep dancing with me and people will think you’re taken.”
Jenny scoffed. “If someone makes assumptions, or isn’t brave enough to approach me and ask if I’m ‘taken’, I don’t want them. I can’t be with someone who doesn’t speak their mind.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Ellie replied with a knowing grin. “You’re just like your father.”
The younger woman raised a brow. “And that’s a bad thing?”
“No,” she snorted out, “but it makes it harder to find someone.”
Jenny shrugged. “Like I said.”
“Alright,” she lightly laughed. “I’ll see you later.”
It didn’t take long for Ellie to reach her house; Joel’s house. The building had sat empty for two years before she finally moved in. She had insisted Maria give it to someone else, a family who needed the space.
“Like I’d give that house to a family,” Maria said. “It needs too much work. Kids would probably fall through the damn floor.”
Maria hadn’t been wrong. Joel had been slowly fixing the house. He’d gotten downstairs and the bathrooms finished before… well, before. Ellie, over the span of five years, had finished it.
She placed her package by the front door and headed straight to the bathroom, her boots echoing on the wooden steps. She undressed slowly, leaving a trail of dirty clothes and soot as she went. A small voice in the back of her head nagged at her about leaving a mess, reminiscent of Joel and Dina. Whatever, she thought, I’ll clean it later. Don’t have time now. She really didn’t. She had an hour, and she promised to help with the set up.
After a quick shower and scrambling to find clean clothes and shoes, she rushed out the door, almost forgetting to lock it after reaching back inside to grab her package. She looked at her watch and cursed, speeding her pace. By the time she made it to the town hall, she was sweating. Not enough to seep through her clothes, but enough to make her uncomfortable. Sighing, she pushed the doors open, relieved to see she wasn’t the last one to make it.
Ellie’s eyes scanned the small crowd, finding Maria quickly. The older woman was speaking to one of the cook’s with a smile, an occurrence that was becoming more frequent. It touched Elli’s heart and caused a rare warmth to flood her chest.
Maria and Tommy had reconciled, and the older woman had miraculously gotten pregnant. Their son, TJ, had recently celebrated his fourth birthday. A perfect mixture of the pair. The combination of events and the lack of hardships in town had brought out a side of Maria that had only ever been given in rare moments. Moments that lasted seconds. Thinking about it always brought a smile to Ellie’s lips.
“Hey,” Ellie said once Maria finished her conversation, giving a small smile.
“Ellie,” the older woman replied, returning the gesture, but it was wider and full of the love only a mother could give. “How was your day?”
She shrugged. “Same as usual. Welding mostly. How are you?”
“Productive. We’ve got visitors from a settlement in Montana.”
She sighed. “Gonna send me away again?”
“Well, George is too old to go.”
She snorted. “Have you met him? The man is healthy as a horse.”
“Anyway,” Maria went on, “I’m glad you could make it on time. I’ve only got Ian, Jesse and Marshall to help with the set up.”
Ellie withheld a flinch at the mention of Jesse. They were still friends. Hell, they were co-parents. But she’d never gotten over almost getting him killed. She pushed the remnants of guilt aside. “Kay,” she replied before awkwardly holding the package out.
The older woman raised a brow before taking it. “What’s this?”
“A gift.”
“What for?”
Ellie tsked. “Do I need a reason?”
“No,” Maria said, voice laced with suspicion, “just wondering what the occasion is.”
“Shut up. I’m gonna go help now.”
Ellie made her way to Ian, the tall and muscular man was already pulling chairs out of the storage closet. “What’s up Conan?” she asked with a grin, using her personal nickname.
Ian glared, bright blue eyes giving away the young man’s lack of ire. “Are you ever gonna stop calling me that?”
“Yeah, when I’m dead.”
The man huffed a laugh. “Whatever. Start bringing these to the tables.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied with a mock salute, earning another glare.
The set up seemed to happen in the blink of an eye, Ellie practically avoiding Jesse the entire time. It was hard to talk to him, but it also wasn’t. She’d been able to forgive herself for most things, but she’d never completely let go of the harm she’d inadvertently caused him. That and the fact that he was close to Dina, which of course he would be. They shared a kid and were still close friends.
Ellie and Jesse were in a type of… grey area. She wouldn’t volunteer information to him, but she would answer honestly when asked anything. She listened intently to everything Jesse would talk to her about and answer when she felt the need to or he asked for her opinion. They discussed JJ and parenting schedules, town expansion and patrols. The conversation came easy but also felt… strange; at least to her.
The hall quickly filled and seats were claimed. Maria gave her usual short speech, full of updates and gratitude. It took about two hours for people to grab their food and eat, and once the dishes were cleared, Ellie got to work moving tables and chairs out of the way to make room for dancing.
She finished putting the last of the spare chairs into the closet and turned, freezing at the sight of Dina. The woman she still loved was as beautiful as ever, with a more defined face, soft curves and lean muscles mostly hidden by clothes; a matured, breathtaking woman. Dina was talking to Ian, laughing at something the young man said. Ellie took a quiet deep breath and forced her eyes away, turning to head for the doors and trying to ignore the longing embedded in her chest.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Jenny asked with a raised eyebrow, steeping in front of Ellie and blocking her escape.
“I did my job,” Ellie said. “I’ve been up since five. I’m exhausted.”
“You still owe me a dance.”
She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “I never promised you a dance.”
“Yes, you did, a few months ago. I’m calling in my debt.”
“That’s not fair. I had to leave because of an emergency leak.”
“You still promised and never followed through. What better time than the present to keep your word”
She scoffed. “Trying to guilt trip me?”
Jenny gave a mischievous grin. “Yes, and I know it’s working.”
She groaned as she drug a hand down her face. “Fine,” she ground out. “I’ll give you one song.”
The woman’s grin broadened into a smile. “That’s all I’m asking for.”
Jenny practically dragged Ellie to the dance floor. The young woman’s arms wrapped around Ellie’s neck, and with an eye roll she placed her hands above Jenny’s hips. The light melody of the song had them swaying gently, the actual couples around them doing the same. Her eyes scanned the area and found Charles, one of the horse breeders, staring at them with interest.
Ellie looked into Jenny’s eyes, raising a brow. “Charles? Really?”
A mischievous smirk returned to the young woman’s face. “Yes, Charles. That guy is sweet and hot as hell, with deep blue eyes from a dream, and ass as hard as a rock.”
Ellie made a small noise of mock disgust. “Gross.”
Jenny tsked. “Oh, come one, like you don’t appreciate a good ass.”
“Well, duh, but it doesn’t mean I want to hear someone who’s practically my little sister ogling someone.”
“Hush, you don’t actually care. You’re just being an asshole.”
“I am an asshole. It’s part of my genetic makeup. Can’t help it.”
“Yeah,” Jenny snorted out, “okay.”
As the song came to end, Ellie noticed Charles slowly walking toward them, face a mixture of nervousness and determination. “Actually, I might be approving of your choice.”
The young woman’s brows pinched. “Why?”
She smirked. “Because he’s coming over to ask you for the next dance.”
“Oh my God,” Jenny whispered, barely containing her excitement. “How do I look?”
“Like a hot mess.”
“You really are an asshole,” the young woman said, slapping her arm.
“Yup,” Ellie replied with a deadpan expression, withholding a laugh.
“Excuse me,” Charles said in a polite voice, stopping whatever Jenny’s comeback would be. Ellie let go of Jenny and watched, not bothering to hide her amusement. “May I have the next dance, Jenny?” the young man asked.
“Of course,” Jenny beamed.
“You kids have fun,” Ellie said with a teasing grin.
“Yeah, yeah,” Jenny said with a waving hand. “Get.”
Ellie snorted as she turned, only making it several feet before Jesse stepped in front of her. She swallowed, eyes widening and a bit of anxiety filling her gut.
Jesse gave a warm smile. “May I have this dance, Miss Ellie?” he asked with fake timidness.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Sure,” she said with a shrug, not wanting to but unable to deny him.
He grabbed her hand and placed his other above her hip, waiting for her to grab his arm. She rolled her eyes before doing so and they began to dance slowly.
Several long, awkward seconds (at least for Ellie) passed before Jesse cleared his throat and spoke. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”
“You pass me almost every day on the street,” she replied.
“You know what I mean. We haven’t spent time together for weeks.”
Her brows pinched. “We spent all of last week patrolling.”
“Yeah, with others around.”
“And?”
“Ellie, you know what I mean. We haven’t spent any time bonging lately,” Jesse said with a small, teasing smile.
“Come on,” she groaned, “We talked about stuff. I’ve been so busy this week that I’ve barely been able to see JJ. And you know I spend as much time as I can get with him.”
Jesse narrowed his eyes. “Is this about Dina?”
She blinked a few times, surprised. “What are you talking about?”
“I mean, since Dina’s been dating-”
“Stop,” she interrupted lowly. “ Please. “
He gazed at her a few moments with thoughtful eyes, and Ellie had to resist the urge to squirm. “Don’t let Dina get between you and JJ,” he finally said.
“I would never let anything or anyone get between JJ and I,” she said with finality.
“Don’t let her get in the way of our relationship either.”
Guilt gnawed at her. She had been avoiding Dina. And in turn, it had affected how often she’d seen Jesse.. She took a few moments and swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat. “Alright.”
Jesse smiled wide. “Good. So we’re hanging out tomorrow?”
“No,” she blatantly said, eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Maria wants to talk to me tomorrow. I don’t know how long it’s gonna take or if I’m going to have to prepare to leave.”
“Perfect. I’m part of that discussion.”
“You little-” she was interrupted by the song ending and people dispersing from the dance floor, making way for a line dance.
She gave a fake glare. “See you tomorrow, dick-weed.”
He laughed. “Yup. Bright and early, sunshine.” She walked away, giving one last glare and flipping him off before leaving.