FALL
The trio make it to Wyoming and see a sign on their trail
Ellie: Jackson County. That means we're close to Jackson City, right?
Tom:(sighs) Home's not too far
Ellie: You live around here?
Tom: Well, a few miles away but it's near
Joel: We can visit if you want
Ellie: Yeah, like a birthday visit
It was Tommy's birthday in July, which was when he met Ellie. Just they were so busy and on the move that Joel didn't have the time to set up anything for him but Tommy didn't mind
Tom: It's alright. Let's go find your brother
Ellie: You feel okay?
Tommy blacked out a few weeks after Henry and Sam and it wasn't good, with all the stress he was putting on his wound, the trio had no choice but to find someplace to hunker down and get Tommy back up to full strength
Tom: Yeah, I'm okay
Ellie walks over to him and snakes her hand to his side and gently rubs it
Ellie: How's that feel? Better?
Tom: A lot better, thank you
Ellie smiles and kisses his nose. Tommy doesn't know what's been going on with her lately, but she's been A LOT more affectionate than usual. But he doesn't mind, though. The pair begin to move and Ellie holds Tommy's hand
Ellie: Ready to see your dear old brother?
Joel: I'm just ready to get there
Tom: Nervous?
Joel: I don't know what I'm feeling
The road eventually gives out
Tom: Gah, stupid road
Ellie: Tell me about it
Joel: We just follow the river. It'll lead us straight to Tommy's. C'mon
They head down
Tom: So, what happened with you and Tommy?
Ellie: Yeah?
Joel: We just had a bit of a disagreement, that's all
Tom: Must've been a serious disagreement
Ellie: What was it about?
Joel: He saw the world one way. I saw it the other
Ellie: And that's why he joined the Fireflies?
Joel: Yeah, your friend Marlene promised him hope. That kept him busy for a while, but just like Tommy, he eventually quit that too
Ellie: How was it, the last time you saw him?
Joel: I believe his last words to me were. "I don't ever want to see your goddamn face again"
Tom: Umm. He's gonna help us, right?
Joel: I suppose we're gonna find out
Ellie: Well, with or without his help, we'll get there
Tom: I mean, he's still family, Joel. That must mean something still, right?
Joel: I don't know, kiddo
Tom: In the end, family has to stick together. Tess was family, right?
Joel: She was, son. She was
Tom: Am I family to you?
Joel: Yes
He said without hesitation and Tommy nods and smiles
Ellie: Am I family?
Tom: Of course
Joel doesn't answer but Ellie was happy that she got a answer from Tommy at least
The trio eventually come up on a hydroelectric power plant
Ellie: Whoa, what's that?
Tom: That is a hydroelectric power plant
Joel: Bingo
Ellie: A...hydra who? Are you making up words again?
Tom: Mm-mm
Joel: It uh, uses the river's movement and turns it into electricity
Ellie: How's it do that?
Tom: Uh, see those turbines?
Ellie: Uh-huh
Tom: It uses the water and pushes it down to a generator and in turn spins a turbine to generate electricity... got that? It's kind of confusing
Ellie: I think I do
Tom: Good. 'Cause that's the best way I could explain it
Ellie giggles
Ellie: How are we getting across?
Joel turns the crank, only turning half of the bridge
Ellie: Well, that gets us halfway. If we get the other one up, we'll make it across
Tom: I think I can jump it
He walks to the edge and feels his side
Tom:(exhales) Okay
Ellie: Careful!
Tom: I will!
He gets a running start and leaps over the gap and stumbles onto the other side, almost keeling over but he regains himself and turns the rest of the bridge over. Joel and Ellie come across and high fives Tommy but Ellie wraps her arms around the back of his neck and kisses his cheek
Joel: Good job
Ellie: You okay? Saw you stumble a little
Tom: Ah, it's nothin'. Just might've overdone it
She looks at him worriedly and they continue on to find a dirt mound with a teddy bear on it
Joel: That's too small of a grave
Tommy sighs and kneels in front of the grave and plays with the teddy bear for a bit before tying it onto the grave so the wind doesn't take it. He then grabs a flower out from his bag and sticks it into the dirt
Tom: You deserve better than this
He caresses the dirt mound and hears Ellie
Ellie: Tommy, we forgot to leave that stupid robot on his grave. What should we do with it?
Tom: I-I don't know, El
Joel: Ellie
Ellie: What? I want to talk about it
Joel: No
Ellie: Why not?
Joel: How many times do we need to go over this? Things happen... and we move on
Ellie: It's just--
Tom: Ellie, please, that's enough
Ellie:... I'm sorry
Joel: Let's get to Tommy's
Tommy nods and stands up, going to Ellie and cupping her cheeks
Tom: You okay?
Ellie: Y-yes... just after what happened to Sam, I'm afraid of that happening to you too. I mean, our luck has to run out sooner or later, right? I'm immune and you're not... that means if you get bitten, then I-I'll be all alone. I don't want to lose you, Tommy
She said, her lip quivering as tears begin to well up in her eyes but Tommy brings her into his embrace tightly
Tom: And you won't lose me, Ellie. It's not gonna happen to me, I'll always be here with you
Ellie: Promise?
Tom: Promise
Ellie smiles and moves her face slowly closer to Tommy's with her lips pursed but they hear Joel
Joel: Hey c'mon, you two! You can ogle each other when we get there
Ellie blushes and they catch up to Joel
Ellie: Auggh, I'm so hungry
Joel: I know. I am too
Tommy pulls out a half eaten biscuit and hands it to Ellie
Ellie: But aren't you hungry?
Tom: Ah, I'll be alright
Ellie: Thanks, Tommy, you're the best
Tom: Wouldn't go that far
Ellie giggles and chows down
Joel: When was the last time you ate something', kiddo
Tom: Uhh, 'bout a couple days ago, I thunk
Ellie: What?!
Tom: What?
Ellie: Are you not starving?!
Tom: El, it's alright
Ellie: No, it's not!
Joel: Now, you know Tess, wouldn't be happy with you not eating right?
Tom: Yeah, I know
Ellie: That's it. Next time, I see a squirrel I'm totally shooting it for you
Tom: Don't know, if you'd wanna shoot it, you'll mess up the meat. You need to use a bow
Ellie: Okay, genius
The trio go around the dam but the road leading out is blocked
Tom: Fuck
Ellie: Uh... should we head in?
Joel: Ain't no way around. Gonna have to cut through the plant
He tries to open the large doors, but survivors with guns appear. Tommy and Ellie quickly aim up at them
Woman: Don't even think about reaching for your weapon. Tell the kid's to drop theirs, now
Tommy tilts his head at the blonde lady barking out orders
She looks familiar
Joel: Kids, do as the lady says
Ellie: Okay
Tommy drops his pistol with Ellie
Woman: Please tell me you're lost
Joel: We didn't know the place was occupied. We're just trying to make our way through
Woman: Through to where?
Man: They're alright
Woman: What, you know these people?
Man: I know him
The door opens to reveal a blonde man
Man: He's my goddamn brother
Joel: Tommy
Tommy M: Holy shit
They hug each other and Tommy smiles
Joel: How you doin', baby brother?
Tommy M: Goddamn
Joel: Yeah
Tommy M: Let me look at you. You got fucking old
Joel: Easy, it's gonna happen to you too
Ellie and Tommy pick up their pistols and holster them as the blonde lady makes her way down to the brother's reunion
Tommy M: This is Maria. Be nice to her, she sorta runs things around here
Joel: Ma'am, thanks for not blowing my head off
Maria: Would've been embarrassing, considering you're my brother in law
Joel looks at his brother who only smiles
Tommy M: We all gotta get wrangled up at some point
Maria: What's your names?
Tom: Uh, Tom Valentine. This is Ellie
Maria looks at the boy quizzically
Maria: Do I know you?
Tom: I don't know you...
Maria: Huh. What brings you through here?
Ellie: Uh... it's kind of a long story
Tommy M: Why don't we bring 'em inside?
Maria: Yeah. You kids hungry?
Ellie: Starving
Tom: Yeah
They head into the Dam compound...
CHAPTER END