Chapter Text
Joel has never been so glad to watch someone vomit in his life.
“Thank you, God. Thank you,” Joel mutters, bending over Ellie. “That’s it, baby, that’s it. Get it up. You’re okay, just get it all up.”
Ellie’s eyelids flutter weakly for a moment before she heaves again, her body spasming as she expels more dirty water. He sweeps her hair back with one hand, the other keeping her firmly on her side, head tilted to prevent her from choking. All that matters is that she’s alive, chest heaving in between each painful retch.
“You’re okay, you’re okay. God, baby, you’re okay,” he repeats breathlessly, unable to stop the reassurances flowing from his lips. His heart pounds in his chest, the fear of losing her still strangling him.
Ellie’s coughing fit subsides, replaced by ragged, shallow inhales. As her brow furrows, her eyes open slightly, unfocused and glassy. “J-Joel?” she manages to croak, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I’m here, baby, I got you,” Joel replies, his voice sticking in his throat. He gently elevates her to rest against his chest. “You’re okay now, you’re okay. Just breathe.”
Ellie nods weakly, her head lolling against his shoulder. She shivers violently, her sodden clothes clinging to her small frame. “Gotta get you out of this water,” he mutters, scanning their surroundings. There’s a patch of sunlight ahead that has to be better than where they are. “Let’s get you up now.”
Joel carefully shifts his weight as he positions Ellie’s arms around his neck, preparing to lift her. “Alright, kiddo, we’re gonna take this slow. Let me do the work.”
With a feeble, teeth-chattering nod, she clasps her hands together. Joel eases them to stand, keeping a firm grip on her waist as she sways unsteadily. Her legs tremble beneath her, threatening to give way at any moment. Should she even be standing?
Joel stoops, carefully scooping Ellie into his arms. “Got you,” Joel says lowly, attempting to keep his voice steady. He’s shaking nearly as hard as Ellie is, the adrenaline crash hitting hard. “One step at a time.”
Unwilling to encounter any tripping hazards concealed beneath the shallow water, Joel moves at a painfully slow pace. He whispers to her, a non-stop combination of you’re okay, I’m here, and I got you. The patch of sunlight seems impossibly far away, but he focuses on it like a lifeline.
Ellie starts to cough violently, nearly toppling out of Joel’s arms before he tightens his grip. “Whoa, easy now. I gotcha.”
“S-sorry,” Ellie mumbles through chattering teeth. “So… tired…”
“I know, baby, I know. We’re almost there. Just a little further.”
As they near the sunlit area, Joel looks around, trying to gauge if there’s anything softer than concrete for Ellie to rest on. “Alright, alright, just a few more steps, and then we’ll get you dry,” he promises. By the time he lowers her to the ground and props her against the wall, she’s barely conscious.
“Ellie,” he implores, “C’mon now, eyes open. You gotta stay awake.”
She coughs weakly, turning toward him as she tries to focus. His heart races as he gently pats her cheek. “Stay with me, kiddo. You can do it.”
He quickly removes Ellie’s backpack and shrugs off his own, fumbling with the zipper. With shaking hands, Joel pulls dry clothes from her pack and a threadbare towel from his, immensely grateful for the resealable bags they’d found somewhere in Nebraska.
“Gotta get you out of these wet clothes,” he says, his voice gruff with worry. “Ain’t time for modesty, baby. I’ll help you. Can you lift your arms for me?”
“J-Joel,” Ellie mumbles, her teeth still chatting. “What… happened?”
Joel swallows hard against the flashes of blue-purple lips and a too-still chest making it nearly impossible to think. “You fell in, baby. But you’re okay now. I got you.”
Ellie manages a feeble nod, raising her arms slightly. Joel peels off her soaked shirts as gently as possible, then wraps the towel tightly around her trembling form. He rubs her biceps vigorously, trying to generate some warmth. “Can you manage your bra, kiddo? Don’t want that soakin’ through the dry stuff.”
He moves to pull her close, freezing before he manages; his clothes are just as soaked. “Ellie,” he repeats gently when she doesn’t respond, “can you get your bra off? The towel will cover you; I won’t see nothin’.”
“I’ll try,” she croaks, bending forward when another coughing fit hits.
“Atta girl,” Joel murmurs as he touches the top of her head. “I’m goin’ to change just behind there.” He points to a car a few feet away. “Think you can manage bangin’ your canteen when you’re ready me to come back?”
“Come back?” Ellie’s awareness is waning; it seems like she’s barely clinging to consciousness. “Don’t go.”
She coughs so hard he can see her ribcage contract, the sound wet and harsh. Droplets fly from her mouth; he can’t tell if it’s spit or if it’s more water, still pooled and deadly in her lungs.
To hell with it. The hospital isn’t far — he can see it just over the wall. “Change of plan,” he whispers, easing the towel off and wrapping Ellie in two of his shirts instead. “I’ll carry you, get you to them Firefly doctors real fast, yeah? They’ll have you feelin’ better in no time.” He’s not exactly in control of what’s coming out of his mouth. Rambling is about the best he can hope for right now.
The Fireflies better fucking be there.
He carefully gets Ellie to her feet and swings her into his arms. Adrenaline spikes anew when her head lolls off his shoulder. “C’mon, kiddo, need you to stay awake,” he pleads, moving as fast as he dares with such precious cargo. “Please, baby, just stay with me. Know you can do it.”
As he crests the driveway, relief floods his veins at the sight of several people with guns guarding the hospital.
Finally, a little luck.
The guards all tense when they see him, weapons trained directly at him and Ellie. It’s an all-too-familiar scene, but it’s one he can change the outcome of.
“I’m Joel Miller, this is Ellie. Marlene sent us from Boston,” Joel shouts, looking down at Ellie when a moan turns into a violent coughing fit. “Please, she needs a doctor.”
The Firefly closest to him lowers his weapon and waves the others down as well. “Don’t move,” he orders before speaking into his radio. Joel can’t hear what he’s saying, but the lack of guns pointed at him and Ellie is reassuring. After a moment, the man’s shoulders relax slightly. “Marlene’s on her way down. Says you should meet her in the lobby.”
Joel nods curtly, following him into the building as he keeps up a steady stream of chatter to Ellie, who seems to be slipping between semi-conscious and unconscious. “We found them, baby,” he murmurs, adjusting his grip until her head is pillowed against his shoulder. “Get you fixed right up.”
“What happened?”
Joel turns at the sound of Marelene’s voice, mindful of the girl in his arms. “We got caught in the water ‘bout twenty minutes ago. She drowned,” he explains, starting toward her. “There’s still water in her lungs. She needs a doctor.”
Marlene’s eyes widen, her gaze darting between Joel and Ellie. “Follow me,” she commands, already turning on her heel as she speaks into the radio on her shoulder. “Medical team will meet us on six.”
Joel’s heart races as he hurries after Marlene, who leads them to an elevator, waiting until the doors close to speak. “When you didn’t arrive…”
Ellie coughs weakly, her head heavy against his shoulder. “Joel?” she breathes.
“Right here,” he assures her, squeezing gently. “You’ll be alright.”
“Who—” More coughing, stronger this time. He has to lean back against the wall to keep his grip on Ellie. Marlene moves to brace them both.
“Marlene, kiddo. You were right; they are here.”
Ellie tries to open her eyes but fails, a small frustrated sound coming from her throat. “Made… it?”
“Sure did,” he murmurs, tilting his head until he can see her clearly. “Gonna get you checked out now. You’ll be okay.”
The elevator stops, and Joel follows Marlene down blue-painted hallways until they reach a large Pediatrics sign. She holds the door for them and he passes through, wincing when Ellie starts coughing once again. When the fit doesn’t stop after a minute, Marlene jogs ahead, presumably to find help.
A moment later, a woman in scrubs approaches, her eyes sharp and concerned. “I’m Martie. Bring her through here.” She leads them past darkened doors to the one room brightly illuminated at the end of the hall. “Put her on the table,” she instructs, gesturing to the exam table.
Joel hesitates, his arms instinctively tightening around Ellie. The thought of putting her down even for a moment sends a spike of panic through him, but Ellie’s ragged, choked panting snaps him back to reality. With great reluctance, he lays Ellie on the table, wincing at the wet patches along her side. She hasn’t stopped shivering since he pulled her out of the water. Being wet isn’t helping.
Ellie’s eyes flutter open, unfocused and confused. “Joel?” she mumbles, her hand sliding across the table in search of him.
“Right here, kiddo,” he promises, capturing her hand to intertwine their fingers. “These folks are goin’ to help you. You’ll be just fine.”
She scrunches her face tight, sighing when she doesn’t manage to focus. “Don’… leave.”
“Ain’t goin’ nowhere without ya,” Joel reminds her, squeezing her hand.
The woman moves swiftly, deftly checking Ellie’s vitals and assessing her for injuries. “How long was she under?”
Joel swallows hard, the memory of Ellie’s lifeless body searing through his mind. “Not… not sure exactly. In the water… maybe a minute? Took, uh… took a few minutes to get her breathin’ again. She’s been coughin’ up water since. Real weak an’ confused.”
Martie nods, her brow furrowed in concentration as she listens to Ellie’s chest, her frown deepening. “I’m going to get her started on oxygen and antibiotics now. We’ll do bloodwork, some scans to make sure there’s no lasting damage,” she explains, moving confidently around the room as she gathers the necessary items.
“What, uh…” Joel trails off, unsure how to word his question. “I mean, what… problems… are we lookin’ at?”
“The biggest risks right now are secondary drowning and pneumonia,” Martie explains as she hooks Ellie up to an oxygen mask. “We’ll monitor her closely.”
Ellie stirs at the touch of unfamiliar plastic, her fingers curling around Joel’s. “What…”
Joel leans in, carefully untangling Ellie’s hair from the mask strap. “Doc’s takin’ real good care of ya,” he explains gently before looking up. “Her clothes—”
“Marlene went to get a gown and additional blankets,” she says quietly, unearthing Ellie’s arm from Joel’s shirts to insert an IV.
With a nod, Joel turns his attention back to Ellie. She seems to be drifting in and out of consciousness, her grip on his hand tightening when she can manage it. He keeps his hand firmly clasped around hers, his thumb tracking slowly over her knuckles.
Marlene returns with an armful of supplies, her expression somewhere between frustration and concern. “How is she?”
“Stable,” Martie replies as she hooks up an IV bag. “We need to get her changed and warmed up.”
Joel hesitates, torn between respecting Ellie’s privacy and satiating his lingering panic. Marlene seems to sense his dilemma. “We’ve got this, Joel. There’s a bathroom just down the hall; get yourself dried off.”
With a hesitant nod, Joel bends down to murmur in Ellie’s ear. “Marlene’s gonna get you changed, kiddo. I’ll be right back.” She doesn’t respond, her eyes closed and her breathing shallow under the oxygen mask.
In the bathroom, Joel grabs a towel and strips off his wet clothes with shaking hands. As he dries off, he catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror — pale and exhausted with a wild look in his eyes. He splashes cold water on his face in an attempt to steady himself. Ellie needs him sharp.
When he returns to the room, Ellie is propped up, wrapped in blankets with wires and tubes snaking out from beneath. Her wet clothes are tossed over a chair in the corner. As Joel approaches, her eyes slide open. “Okay?” she rasps with a wince.
She’s too damn concerned about other people. He moves quickly to her side, carefully moving the blankets until he finds her hand. “I’m okay,” he promises with a squeeze. “How’re you feelin’?”
Ellie’s brow furrows as she tries to focus on him. “Tired,” she mumbles, blinking rapidly. “Chest… hurts.”
“That’s normal,” Martie interjects gently, adjusting something on one of the monitors. “Your body’s been through a lot, Ellie. The oxygen and medication will help.”
Joel nods gratefully, his thumb resuming its gentle path across Ellie’s knuckles. “All you gotta do now is rest,” he murmurs.
Ellie’s eyes drift closed again, but her grip on Joel’s hand doesn’t falter. He watches the rise and fall of her chest, each one a reminder that she’s alive.
“Joel,” Marlene softly calls from the doorway. “We need to talk.”
He tenses at Marlene’s voice suddenly cold tone. “It can wait,” he grunts, turning his back to her.
“No,” Marlene says, leaving no room for argument. “It’s important.”
Martie steps in, her expression sympathetic. “I’ll stay with her. She’s stable now, and I’ll radio immediately if anything changes.”
With a heavy sigh, Joel extricates his hand from Ellie’s, gingerly adjusting the blankets until she’s fully covered. He trails after Marlene but makes no attempt to follow her down the hallway. “She ain’t leavin’ my sight,” he says tersely, angling himself so he can see Ellie, Marlene, and two of the three points of entry to the corridor.
Marlene stops in her tracks, her posture stiffening. “You don’t have to worry about her anymore.”
“I worry.”
When Ellie starts coughing, the sound loud enough to carry through the door, Joel strides back into the room without a second glance at Marlene. The girl glances up just long enough to confirm it’s him before grabbing his arm, her fingernails digging into his skin. He immediately rests his hand on her back, ducking to whisper directly in her ear: “You’re okay; just gotta get it out.”
Joel rubs Ellie’s back as she coughs, awkwardly bent over to murmur reassurances into her ear. When the fit finally subsides, she’s leaning heavily against him, head limply hanging forward. Joel carefully eases her back against the pillows, petting her hair once he’s sure she’s in a comfortable position. When Martie hands him a damp cloth, Joel wipes Ellie’s face, carefully removing grime and tears.
“How we doin’?” he asks softly when her eyes flutter open.
“Hurts,” she wheezes, eyes slipping closed again.
“I know, kiddo, I know,” Joel soothes, brushing her hair back from her forehead. He looks up at Martie, his expression questioning.
She nods reassuringly. “This is normal. Her body’s trying to expel the remaining water. It’s a good sign, actually.”
Joel nods, but his worry doesn’t ease. He turns back to Ellie, who’s struggling to remain awake. “Hey now,” he whispers, cupping her cheek with one hand while the other remains tangled with hers. “Just rest, kiddo. I ain’t goin’ nowhere. Be right here with ya, promise.”
She squeezes his hand weakly, drifting off to sleep as he watches. Marlene clears her throat from the doorway, gesturing to the hall once more.
“What is so goddamn important?” he demands harshly. Before Marlene can respond, Joel continues: “You got somethin’ to say, you damn well better say it in here. I ain’t leavin’ her side.”
Marlene’s jaw tightens, her eyes flicking between Joel and Ellie. She steps fully into the room, gesturing for Martie to leave before closing the door. “Fine. We’ll talk in here.”
Joel keeps Ellie’s hand clasped tightly in his, his other one resting on the top of her head. When Marlene remains silent, Joel fixes her with a hard stare. “Talk.”
“The drowning… complicates things,” Marlene begins, her voice low. “We need to run additional tests, make sure there’s no permanent damage.”
“Of course,” Joel nods. “Whatever she needs.”
“We’ll have to delay the surgery for several days until we confirm—”
Joel straightens, fury suddenly blazing to life in his chest. “What surgery?”
The way Marlene’s eyes flash with hesitation sets every fiber of his being vibrating with alarm. “Our doctor… he believes the cordyceps in Ellie has grown with her since birth.”
Joel raises his eyebrows, not speaking. When Marlene doesn’t continue, he squares his shoulders. “That don’t explain the surgery.”
“The cordyceps in her — it produces a kind of chemical messenger that makes normal cordyceps think she’s cordyceps. He believes that’s why she’s immune. He’s going to remove it from her, attempt to replicate the chemical messengers, and we’ll be able to give it to everyone. He thinks it could be more than a vaccine, Joel. He thinks it could be a cure.”
Joel shakes his head, grip on Ellie’s hand tightening as he runs his thumb over her knuckles. “Remove the— Cordyceps grows inside the brain.”
The way Marlene stalls has Joel ready to wrap Ellie in as many blankets as he can get his hands on, steal a truck, and get her the fuck out of here. Jackson should be less than a day’s drive; if he can manage to snag an oxygen canister, she’ll be able to make the trip. The Jackson infirmary is well equipped; Maria seemed particularly proud of how advanced it was.
“It does.”
He stares at her, uncomprehending for a moment before shaking his head. “You know how damn ridiculous you sound right now? He believes, he thinks, he’s going to attempt… He don’t have a fuckin’ clue. Y’all ain’t even drawn her blood yet, and you’re—”
Marlene stands firm, her gaze hardening as she takes in his reticence. “This isn’t about me. Or even her. I have no other choice here.”
“I do,” he growls, looking down when Ellie stirs, her face scrunching as she rolls her head toward him. “Sorry, kiddo,” he murmurs, shooting Marlene another glare. “You go on back to sleep.”
Ellie’s fingers twitch in his as she opens her eyes. “Asshole voice,” she rasps.
Joel angles himself to block Marlene from view. “Just makin’ sure you get all the right care. How’s that pain?”
Before she can answer, another coughing fit has Ellie bending forward as her body convulses painfully. Joel leans in close, slotting one arm in front of her chest to keep her upright and rubbing her back with his free hand. “Easy, baby, easy. S’okay, you’re alright.”
When the coughing subsides, Joel helps Ellie lie back, capturing her hand once again before turning back to Marlene. “Get out. She don’t need your bullshit right now.”
Marlene’s jaw clenches, her eyes flashing with frustration. “You don’t understand—”
“I understand just fine,” Joel growls dangerously. “You ain’t touchin’ her brain. End of discussion.”
Ellie whines softly, her brow furrowing as she tries to focus on the conversation. “Wha’s… goin’ on?” she slurs.
Joel smoothes her hair back, his touch gentle as he ducks to be in her eyeline. “Nothin’ for you to worry about, baby.” He lets his hand rest on her head, stroking his thumb over her hairline.
Marlene takes a step forward, her voice taking on an edge of detachment. “Joel, please. This could be our chance to save all of humanity. Sacrificing—”
“Sacrificing a child who wouldn’t have been allowed to consent to somethin’ like this before the Outbreak ain’t savin’ humanity. It’s doomin’ it,” Joel snaps, his body angling further to shield Ellie from Marlene’s view. “She almost died today. She needs time to heal.”
“And she’ll get it,” Marlene insists. “We’ll run tests, make sure she’s stable, but once she’s cleared—”
Joel’s eyes narrow dangerously. “Did you explain any of this to Ellie before you chained her up in that room an’ filled her head with your you’ll-save-the-world bullshit?”
Marlene stiffens, her eyes darting to Ellie’s feet. “Of course. She knows the risks—”
“That’s fuckin’ bullshit. You know what Ellie thinks is goin’ to happen here?” Joel interrupts, his tone turning dangerous. “She thinks your doctor is goin’ to draw her blood and make your little cure outta that.”
Marlene’s expression falters, a flicker of guilt crossing her features before she steels herself again. “The details weren’t… necessary at the time. She understands the importance of what we’re doing here.”
“She didn’t know you wanted her out here to die,” he argues, turning Ellie’s hand over to rub her palm. “You lied to her. To both of us.”
“I did what was necessary,” Marlene insists, her voice strained. “For the greater good.”
“The greater good,” Joel scoffs, shaking his head. “You ain’t got a clue if that’ll even work. You’re willin’ to kill the only immune person you’ve come across on a goddamn hunch.”
Ellie stirs again, closing her fingers around Joel’s thumb. “’S about me,” she mumbles, trying to focus on him. “What’re you… mad for?”
Joel ducks into her eyeline again, sliding his hand down to cup her cheek. “I’ll explain when you’re feelin’ better, baby.”
“Ellie,” Marlene interrupts, moving so she’s visible to the girl.
Joel lays Ellie’s hand on the bed before taking two large steps into Marlene’s personal space. “That’s enough,” he growls. “She needs rest. You ain’t talkin’ to her about any of this right now.”
Marlene’s eyes narrow. “You don’t get to make that decision, Joel, This is—”
“She’s my responsibility,” he seethes. “You—”
“She’s not you’re responsibility anymore. This is bigger than—”
“You ain’t layin’ a goddamn finger on her, test results or no test results.”
“Joel?” Ellie’s weak voice cuts through the tension. “I don’t - understand wha’s - goin’ on.”
The sudden, strong wheeze to each breath has him back at Ellie’s side in an instant. He perches on the side of the mattress. “Get that doctor back in here,” he orders, lightly pressing his hand to the top of Ellie’s chest. “S’okay, you’re okay.”
“If I could just—”
“Get the fuckin’ doctor,” Joel snaps at Marlene without turning. “I know, baby, I know it hurts. Gettin’ you some help right now, just hang on a minute.”
His heart starts to race as he watches Ellie struggle for air. Her chest heaves with each labored inhale, tears rolling down her face as she looks at him with panicked eyes.
“Easy now, nice and slow,” he murmurs, bringing her hand to his chest as he takes slow, measured breaths. “You’re okay, just gotta slow it down. That’s it.”
The door bursts open as Martie rushes in, quickly assessing the situation. She moves to Ellie’s side, opposite Joel, and adjusts the oxygen flow.
“Ellie, I need you to try and breathe more deeply,” she instructs calmly. “I know it hurts, but it’s important.”
Joel keeps his hand on Ellie’s chest, anxiety ratcheting up with each painful inhale. “You’re doin’ great, kiddo. Just a little more.”
Martie listens to Ellie’s lungs with her stethoscope, her brow furrowed in concentration. After a moment, she straightens up. “I’m going to increase your pain medication, Ellie. It should help you breathe easier.”
“No.”
Joel whips around to glare at Marlene, eyes narrowing. “The fuck you mean, no?”
Marlene shakes her head, gesturing for the doctor to step away. “She needs to be alert for the tests,” Marlene explains flatly. “Martie can give her a mild pain reliever, but anything stronger could skew the results.”
“Your tests can wait. She’s weak, she’s confused, and she can barely breathe. Your tests aren’t going to mean a damn thing if you let her suffocate in front of you.”
Ellie wheezes painfully, her fingers tightening against Joel’s. “S’okay,” she manages between gasps. “Can… handle it.”
“You don’t have to, baby,” Joel says softly, brushing her hair back. He turns to the doctor, his voice low and dangerous. “You give her whatever she needs to breathe easy and be comfortable. I don’t give a damn about your tests.”
The doctor hesitates, glancing between Joel and Marlene. “I’m sorry, but we need accurate readings to assess—”
“To assess what?” Joel interrupts. “Whether she’s fit for your little science experiment? She ain’t. Give her the goddamn drugs.”
Marlene steps forward, her face set. “Joel, you don’t have the authority to make these decisions.”
“You gave me the authority to make these decisions when you put Ellie in my care.” Joel looks down at Ellie’s small hand encased at him, then up at the doctor in alarm. “Her fingers are blue.”
She adjusts the oxygen again before looking between Joel and Marlene. Finally, she shakes her head slightly, fixing Marlene with a serious look. “She needs pain medication and steroids. They’ll clear from her system in twenty-four hours, and they won’t affect the initial imaging.”
Joel’s grip on Ellie’s hand tightens as he watches the doctor prepare the medications. His jaw clenches, eyes darting between Ellie’s fight for enough air and Marlene’s stony expression. “This ain’t right,” he growls at Marlene. “You’re puttin’ her through hell for nothin’.”
Marlene’s face hardens. “For nothing? This could save humanity, Joel. It’s worth—“
“It ain’t worth her life,” Joel snaps, his voice low and dangerous. He turns back to Ellie as the doctor injects the medications into her IV.
“There we go, kiddo,” he murmurs, brushing the tears from Ellie’s face with his thumb. “Should start feelin’ better real soon.”
Ellie’s eyes flutter, struggling to focus on Joel’s face. “Don’t... fight,” she rasps between wheezes.
“Shh, don’t you worry ‘bout that,” Joel soothes. “Just concentrate on breathin’, alright?”
As the medications begin to take effect, Ellie’s labored gasping eases. The tight lines of pain around her eyes start to soften, and Joel feels some of the tension leave his own body. He continues to stroke her hair gently, watching as her eyelids grow heavy.
“That’s it, Ellie,” he murmurs. “Just rest now. I’ll be right here.”
Ellie manages a small nod before her eyes close completely, her breaths coming in a steady rhythm. Joel keeps his hand on her head, his thumb tracing small circles on her temple.
He turns to the doctor, keeping his voice low. “How long will she sleep?”
“A few hours, at least,” the doctor replies. “The combination of medications and her body’s need to recover should keep her under for a while.”
Joel nods, his eyes never leaving Ellie’s face. “And her breathing?”
“We’ll continue to monitor it closely,” the doctor assures him. “The steroids should help reduce any inflammation in her lungs, and hopefully the antibiotics will prevent secondary infections. If there are any changes, we’ll know immediately.”
“Thank you,” Joel says gruffly, surprising even himself with the sincerity in his voice.
As Marlene and the doctor argue in hushed tones, Joel focuses solely on the rise and fall of Ellie's chest. He came so close to losing her today, and now, knowing what the Fireflies have in store…
He needs to get her out of here. How can he do that without further endangering her life? When can he do it?
Joel keeps his vigil at Ellie’s bedside, his eyes never leaving her face as he listens to the steady beep of the monitors. His mind races, trying to formulate a plan to get them both out of this hospital safely. They can’t stay here, not with Marlene and her team hellbent on killing Ellie to attempt a cure.
A change in Ellie’s breathing snaps him back to the hospital room. Her face is scrunched up in discomfort, a small whimper escaping her lips. Joel leans forward, his hand finding hers.
“Ellie? You with me, kiddo?”
Her eyes flutter open, unfocused at first but gradually settling on his face. “Joel?” she croaks, her voice rough from sleep and lingering pain.
“Right here, baby,” he soothes, squeezing her hand. “How’re you feelin’?”
Ellie takes a moment to assess, her brow furrowing slightly. “Better,” she mumbles. “Not… as hard to breathe.”
Relief washes over Joel as he nods. “Good. That’s real good, kiddo.”
Her eyes dart around the room, confusion clouding her features. “What… happened? You were in the bus…”
“You fell in the water,” he explains gently. “Scared the hell outta me, but you’re okay now. We made it to the Fireflies.”
At the mention of the Fireflies, Ellie tries to sit up, stifling a cough and wincing as the movement pulls at her sore muscles. Joel quickly places a hand on her shoulder, easing her back down.
“None of that,” he murmurs. “No need to be rushin’ around. You need to rest.”
“But the cure,” Ellie protests weakly. “They need to—”
Joel’s jaw clenches, his hand tightening slightly on her shoulder. “That can wait, Ellie. Right now, you need to focus on gettin’ better. Gotta recover before they can do anything.”
Joel watches Ellie carefully as she processes his words. Her brow furrows, a mix of confusion and frustration crossing her face. “But... we came all this way,” she argues, her voice barely above a whisper. “I have to do this, Joel. It’s why we’re here.”
Joel’s heart clenches at the determination in her eyes, even as she struggles to keep them open. He takes a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. “I know, baby girl. But you nearly died today. Your body needs time to heal before we can even think about anythin’ else. The Fireflies ain’t goin’ nowhere.”
Ellie’s eyes narrow slightly, sensing there’s something Joel isn’t telling her. “What aren’t you saying?” she asks, her voice stronger now. “You’re using your lying voice.”
Joel sighs, running a hand over his face. He can’t bring himself to tell her the full truth - not yet, not when she’s still so weak. But he knows he can’t keep everything from her either.
“It… ain’t as simple as just takin’ your blood, Ellie,” he says slowly. “It’s more complicated. More dangerous. And what they’re tellin’ me — they ain’t sure they can make a cure.”
Ellie’s eyes widen, a flicker of fear crossing her face before she masks it with determination. “But they can try, right? We have to at least try.”
Joel’s heart aches at her unwavering resolve. He squeezes her hand gently. “Ellie, listen to me. What they’re proposin’... it ain’t just risky. It will kill you.”
“But if it works—” Ellie starts, her voice rising slightly before breaking into a cough.
Joel quickly helps her sit up, rubbing her back as she wheezes. “Easy now, easy,” he soothes. When the coughing subsides, he eases her back against the pillows.
“Ellie,” he says softly, meeting her gaze. “I know you want to help. But right now, you need to focus on feelin’ better. We can talk about this when you’re stronger.”
Ellie looks like she wants to argue, but exhaustion is taking its toll. Her eyelids droop as she fights to stay awake. “Promise?” she mumbles.
"I promise, kiddo. We'll talk about it when you're feelin' stronger. For now, just rest."
Ellie nods weakly, her eyes already closing. "Don't leave," she murmurs, her fingers tightening around Joel's.
“Ain't goin' nowhere," Joel assures her softly. He watches as she drifts off to sleep, her breathing evening out once more.
Once he's sure Ellie is asleep, Joel leans back in his chair, rubbing a hand over his face. The weight of everything that’s happened today settles heavily on his shoulders. He needs to get Ellie out of here, but how? She's still too weak to travel, and he has no idea how many Fireflies are in the hospital.
Christ, what a goddamn mess.