Texan Zombie Shooter

Ada felt like she had a tail in-between her legs as she and her horse approached the gates of Jackson. She had to face the music, she might even still leave but she would have to gather some of her supplies or she’d die out there on her own anyway, it was worth the risk. Looking up at the guards she felt the possibility that she may well just be shot on site but one of them shouted, “It’s Ada, open the gates”.

Maria was already waiting there with Tommy at the stables for her arrival, “I think we need to have a conversation, don’t you?” said Maria guiding Ada off to an empty house in town, that made her uneasy. They all settled in the vast house, Ada sat on her own with both Maria and Tommy sat on the sofa opposite staring at her. Where to even begin.

“So you mind telling us what the hell happened and who you are?” Maria started. Ada leaped into her story and told them exactly what she told Joel (minus the part about Ellie’s immunity and the vaccine. Something told her people around here didn’t know about that and that’s how Joel liked it). Maria and Tommy exchanged a couple glances at each other as Ada was telling the story but their faces weren’t easy to read.

“You came here to kill my brother and we saved you?” Tommy asked as if what she had said didn’t make sense. It was hard to believe with the irony of it all.

“I came here to help people I thought were friends. I didn’t know who he was back then but I do now” Ada explained, she was fidgeting with her hands, scratching and rubbing at either one. She could tell Tommy and Maria were fixing about making a decision.

“I don’t know what more to say, you lied to everyone and put people in danger, our family.” Maria spoke.

“I know. I can’t undo it, maybe I shouldn’t have come back. I will leave at first light tomorrow” Ada said feeling the large lump sitting in her throat. Maria and Tommy didn’t say anything in response when Ada got up and left.

She tried to get some sleep, it was going to be a hell of a journey wherever she ended up never mind if she didn’t get enough shut eye. Ada had tossed and turned drifting in and out of sleep for a few hours before deciding to get up and set off. She had already organised her bag sitting at the front door, she grabbed the handwritten letter from her bedside table and shoved it in her back pocket to post before leaving. Ada felt not just a sadness but an emptiness to be leaving Jackson and the life she had began to create for herself here. There were so many simple things she would miss, like an actual bed, it could be a while till she found another. Part of her felt frustrated at herself for getting sucked in, for stopping the attempts to keep her distance from people, letting herself care but none of that could be undone now.

It was when she was taking one last look at this house she had called home for a time that there was a loud knock at the door, who ever it was kept knocking with an urgency until Ada opened the door. It was Joel. Ada braced herself for Joel’s cruel words, she felt herself take a step back from him worried how his anger might manifest, maybe he had come here to seek his his own revenge.

“You don’t have to leave on my account” He began, coldly and indifferent.

“I said we were even, we owe each other nothing now… I told Maria and Tommy the same thing, you can stay but just stay out my way.”

Ada proceeded to put on her bag pack, “I can’t stay here Joel. After what happened, I think every person in this town will want me gone.” He puts his hand up to stop her.

“They don’t need to know, they won’t know. The only people who do are Ellie, Tommy and Maria. You go out there on your own, you’ll die in a matter of weeks”

“Why would you care what happens to me?” Ada asked confused.

Joel is quick in his response, “I don’t. I am just telling you it be god damn stupid”. And with that short exchange he left Ada standing at her door unsure of what to do.

Jackson was an incredible place, not just because of Joel and her friends but the life that it presented, it was safer than anywhere she had been. Joel was right and deep down she knew it too, if she left on her own she wouldn’t make it very far.

Neither Maria nor Tommy said anything when they saw Ada tending to the greenhouses later that afternoon. She knew life wouldn’t be the same now but at least she could survive here, she had always felt a moral obligation to keep living as long as she could for everyone she had lost along the way.

“You alright this morning?” Dina asked. Ada nodded not wanting to delve into details.

“About yesterday? Ellie told me some of what went down” Dina continued, “It sounds to me like you saved Joel’s life”.

Ada exhaled and smiled sadly, “I don’t think either Joel or Ellie see it as that way”, it was obvious that Ellie may have left out some of the details to the story.

They both went back to working in silence.

Ada was taken off patrols for a few weeks which she saw as a slap on the wrist for her actions. She couldn’t complain when her shifts for the week had been replaced with extra hours in the greenhouses and some evenings in the bar helping out Seth. One night the guys from patrol had decided to have a drink after a long shift, Jesse and Joel among them. She looked at them all exchanging stories about what they each saw, if they came across infected. It had only been three weeks but Ada missed it.

“A round of beers for us all” Ordered Jesse at the bar, Joel at his side. Joel didn’t say anything, he could barely take his eyes off the floor doing his best to avoid eye contact with Ada. Moments like that hurt, it was easier to not be around each other at all for Ada rather than have someone she cared deeply about unable to even face her. Joel took the first handful of beers across to their table, leaving Jesse to wait on the rest.

“You two have another fight again?” He enquired trying to tease Ada.

“You could say that”.

Jesse could sense the sadness in her tone, it was clear this wasn’t like one of Ada and Joel’s previous sparring matches.

“Hey” he said his voice softer this time, “these things have a tendency to work themselves out”. Jesse picked up the beers and left Ada to tend to the bar.

’Not this one’ Ada thought.

Ada awoke to the sound of feet padding across the wooden floor, she looked across at the clock. 6:00, it was still early. She had began to recognise the sound of Joel’s movement and steps across the room, he was a big guy and as much as he could try to be quiet, well it was no good.

“I am off for a patrol with Tommy but I will be back at lunch” he said in a whisper as he sat down on the bed to put on his boots. Ada felt the bed sink beneath him. She moved and perched on her knees behind him, wrapping her arms around him and pressing morning kisses to his neck.

“Don’t make it harder than it already is to leave this bed” He groaned. Ada sighed defeatedly and collapsed back onto the bed.

“Be careful!” She called to him as he left.

“Always am” He said before closing the door behind him.

It was only a few minutes before Ada decided to get up herself, she couldn’t get back to sleep and she should be starting a shift in the greenhouse within the hour anyway. After getting dressed she made her way into Joel’s kitchen to find something to eat before work. Joel had left out a mug with some of his stash of coffee ready for Ada to boil some water. Thinking back to the times Joel had spoken about how much he treasured every cup of coffee he could make from a bag she felt like the small gesture was more than a cup of coffee. As she sipped at her drink her eyes couldn’t help but look at her hands holding the mug, the hands that yesterday had been covered in blood, in the blood of someone she knew, not that she had told a single soul about that part. She kept telling herself she didn’t know who it was when she attacked… but if she had, would she have done anything different? Joel would have died if she hadn’t acted. In any case Owen had travelled to Jackson for one obvious purpose, Abby. She didn’t know if more were behind him but she couldn’t imagine Isaac sending out his recruits after one person a second time round.

“Shit” muttered Ada realising the time, she was late for her shift.

“I am here, I am sorry I am late” she called as she ran to the greenhouses not far from Joel’s. She set to work alongside Dina for the day, Dina was beginning to show. What had been a complicated situation for her, Jesse and Ellie, they had made work. They obviously cared about each other a lot, it was heartwarming seeing them work with each other to raise a baby.

“When do you get maternity leave? Or do you even get that here?” Ada joked with her.

“Soon I hope” Dina smiled. It was then Ada clocked Maria walking past the greenhouses, she tapped on the glass to grab the woman’s attention.

“Maria” called Ada waving the woman over. Maria made her way across to the pair.

“What’s up you two? Working hard I see”

“Do you know what time Joel and Tommy might be back this afternoon? I was thinking it could be nice to invite you all round for a home cooked meal after our shifts today” Ada suggested towards Maria and Dina.

“Tommy? Joel isn’t out with Tommy this morning”

“What do you mean? He said he was on rota with Tommy for Patrol” Ada was puzzled, it didn’t seem like something Joel would lie about.

“He was until Tommy spent last night coughing and sneezing. He’s still In bed, I had to switch the rota around this morning” Maria explained unsure why Ada seemed so bothered, it wasn’t a big deal, usually.

“Who is he out with Maria?” Ada didn’t even notice she had raised her voice, she felt her hands shaking.

“The new girl, Abby”.

Ada dropped spade she was holding and felt the familiar sickness in her stomach from the moment she saw Abby in town.

“Ada? Ada are you alright?” Dina asked wrapping her arm around the woman who was currently not blinking. As if a switch had been flipped in Ada, she snapped right out of it.

“We have to go after them” She dusted off the dirt from her hands and made her way out of the greenhouse.

“What are you talking about Ada? No one is going out there that doesn’t need to” Maria said sternly.

“Dina, go and tell Ellie to get Shimmer and follow the patrol route that Joel is on” Ada called. As odd as it all sounded, something in Ada’s voice made Dina do as she was told.

Maria continued to protest as Ada made her way to the stables.

“Maria!” Ada shouted making Maria go silent, not many people had ever spoken to her like that… actually no one had in a long time.

“Abby isn’t who she says she is okay? If you don’t let me go out there, Joel isn’t coming back, she will make sure of it”. There was a silence between the two head strong women for a moment. Maria looked angry and Ada knew why. For the first time it was now clear Ada had been hiding something and Maria didn’t like the idea that she didn’t know the person standing in front of her.

“If you have brought trouble here” Maria began but broke off, there was more important things at stake right now than an argument, “You go out there and bring Joel back”. She flung a loaded rifle to Ada who caught it with both hands.

“I will” Ada confirmed to Maria but she didn’t feel convinced. How long had Abby been out there with Joel? Had she hurt him? Had she already done what she had come here to do and killed him? Ada had to put those thoughts out her mind for now.

She set off at a pace following the trail to the familiar check point, the ski lodge from when her and Joel first patrolled together. She clocked two Jackson marked horses tied up outside of the building. Ada slowed down on her approach and tied her horse out of view, her foot steps were a lot quieter than that of a hoof. Part of her wanted to run in there, burst the door down, scream at the top of her lungs but her training and years of living in this world had taught her so much better than that. Checking her rifle was fully loaded Ada heard a loud groan, almost a cry, the kind that sent shivers up her spine and made the hair on her neck stand up. The only good thing it let her know was that Joel was still alive, getting low to the ground she lightly pushed the door open hoping it wouldn’t creak.

Between the different tables and chairs she could see Abby crouching next to Joel who was propped up against a wall. She moved quicker now, she had to get a good angle but not get spotted, Abby was too close to Joel and a lot stronger than Ada could ever hope to muster, even with the adrenaline pumping through her veins. Joel’s eyes opened after wincing at the pain he was in, his eyes locked on to Ada’s, she put her finger to her lips pleading him not to give anything away. Ada watched as Abby twisted the knife she had clearly placed in Joels upper leg, “You stupid old man, do you know who I am?”.

Joel groaned in pain, “Whatever you plan on doing, how about you just get on with it?” He spat. Abby then stood, towering above him.

Ada got to her feet “Don’t fucking do anything Abby, don’t move a muscle or I’ll put a bullet right through your skull” she cried.

Abby slowly turned to see Ada behind her, “Of course, you’re here”

“What are you going to do Ada? Save him after knowing everything he’s done?” She continued. Joels gaze went between both woman, as he registered the familiar tone they took with each other. It was then he realised they knew each other and not just from Jackson.

“What he did wasn’t right Abby, but neither is this. What happened to your father was horrible but we have all lost people we love. You have killed so many people, you don’t think any of them had a family?… When it comes down to it we all just want to protect the ones we love and I will too”

“What, you’re going to shoot me?” Abby laughed, “What’s to stop me from pulling my gun on you?”

“Don’t make me! We both know I am the better shot and before your hands reach that pistol, I will have killed you in one clean shot” Ada said as her hands tightened around her rifle.

Abby’s hand moved slightly in the direction of her holster and Ada shot a warning shot so close to her head that if Abby had moved any further the bullet could have hit her.

“I am not messing about Abby!” Shouted Ada. It didn’t matter Abby was resigned to seeking revenge, convinced that killing Joel would bring her peace. Abby turned her back to Ada and facing Joel was about to pull her gun when a second gun shot rang in the air.

Ada exhaled and lowered the rifle that she had been resting against her shoulder. Neither her nor Joel said anything for a moment. She made her way across to Joel trying to avoid looking at Abby’s body, she just couldn’t face that.

“I think I can take this out and bandage it up until we get back home. It’s going to hurt for a moment okay?” She said in a hushed tone and she got ready to remove the knife wedged in Joels upper leg. He winced and shouted as she removed and cleaned the area. Ada was still surprised he hadn’t said or asked anything about what had just happened and as if reading her mind.

“Who was she? Who are you?” Joel asked as she tied the cloth around the injury.

She looked up at him, his eyes meeting hers, she felt ashamed “She was a firefly, from Salt Lake. She met me in Seattle where we trained together”.

Joel scoffed and shook his head, “Fucking Firefly” he muttered.

“You knew who she was and you said nothing?” He continued, his tone was harsh but it was deserved thought Ada.

“I hoped she’d change her mind… I should have known better knowing she travelled here a second time on her own”

“A second time? She was here before?”

“WE were here before…We travelled from Seattle, me and some friends. They had this vendetta against some man who killed their friends, family, people they knew. They said ‘he took away the cure from man kind’.” Ada began explaining, she continued focusing on Joel’s injury so as not to see his face,

“So it was suggested I would travel with them. Help them get where they were going alive knowing I was the best shot out of all of them. We travelled all the way just outside of Jackson before getting stuck in a storm, they left me behind and I was set upon by a hoard of infected. Nearly died too, until the man they were looking for and his brother came across me and saved my life. You know the rest”

Joel didn’t say anything and began trying to get to his feet. Ada offered to help but he shook her off, “I don’t need anything more from you”.

At that point Ellie arrived having caught up with Ada. “What the fuck?” She said quietly looking at the scene she had just walked in on.

“Just help me to my horse Kiddo. We can talk about it back in town” Joel said putting his arm around Ellie for a bit of support as he walked out the lodge. Ada was about to follow when he turned around to look at her. “That’s it now, consider us even” and they left. Ada was still stood in the same spot a few meters from Abby’s body, she could see the blood beginning to stain the wood. She fell to her knees and began brining up the contents of her stomach. She couldn’t believe what she had done and what she may have just lost. Where could she go from here? Could she go back to Jackson or would she be shot on sight like she should have been when she first arrived.

“You good to go darlin?” Joel called from the front door of Ada’s house, she was almost finished packing her bag. It was her and Joel’s first patrol together in a month or so. She peered her head out from behind the doorway and tilts her head at Joel, “Darlin?” She enquires a slight smile creeping across her face which Joel slightly copies.

“What you don’t like it?” He seems slightly embarrassed, it was endearing.

“It’ll just take some getting used to” Ada said placing a kiss on his cheek as she passed him locking the door behind her.

They had been given one of Joel’s usual trails but one that Ada had become less familiar with since she hadn’t followed it in some time. Joel helped her down from her horse when they reached the first check point, “Quite the gentleman” Ada teased.

“I try my best mam” Joel flirted back, tipping an imaginary hat as a funny gesture. The light hearted conversation came to an abrupt end when Ada pointed at the door which Joel had his back to.

“Joel” she said in a low voice, “the door is open, is anyone else on this route?”. He shook his head, it could have just been the wind or that he and Tommy didn’t close it properly when they last visited but Joel wasn’t for taking any risks.

He pressed a finger to his lips gesturing Ada to keep quiet as they both loaded their guns. Joel went first slowly using the tip of his riffle to open the door further. It was quiet but they noticed two sleeping bags in one of the rooms, ‘squatters’ thought Ada.

They had almost cleared the checkpoint when two people came hurdling out a door to a closed room. Before one of them could get far Joel was able to shoot them down, he wasn’t so lucky with the other. The man had Joel on the ground, Ada could only see his back and before she knew what took over her, she pulled her knife and began unleashing it on him. Below her she saw the hands loosen around Joel’s neck and the man collapsed on top of Joel before Joel pushed the dead body from him. “You okay?” Ada asks checking on Joel first, her hands tracing his face and body for any injuries.

He pats himself off “I am fine Ada, don’t worry”. She lets out a sigh and for the first time gets a look at the face of one of their attackers.

Her knees hit the ground below her, giving up on holding up her body as she feels winded. She knew that face, ‘Owen’ she thought.

She could feel Joel crouching down next to her rubbing her back. She looked at her hands, blood dotted across each one.

“Ada, breathe! In” Joel demonstrated and held his breath, “and out. Come on look up at me”. He gently pulled her stare away from the awful bloody mess and focused her in on him, she began to copy him and eventually was able to breathe.

“It’s alright, you’re alright” he comforted her as he helped her to her feet but she wasn’t alright. Little did Joel know that she had just murdered someone she knew, who she had once ate meals with, trained with but she couldn’t tell him any of that, she had to act…indifferent.

“I am sorry. It’s - It’s just been some time since I killed an actual person”. He nodded sympathetically seeming to understand. She couldn’t bring herself to look at the body of the other squatter. She was sure it wasn’t Mel, if Owen had travelled this way for Abby she couldn’t imagine they were still together, let alone Mel offer to travel with him.

They still had to continue on their patrol of the area before heading back to town, thankfully there was only a few infected and they spent most of their excursion in silence.

“What happened?” Called Tommy as Ada and Joel dismounted their horses taking note of the blood stained clothes Ada was wearing. She clocked Abby in the group in the stables alongside Tommy. She couldn’t let anything slip about who the two people were they attacked by.

“We were attacked by a couple squatters in the checkpoint” Joel explained taking Ada’s rifle from her and returning it.

“You alright? What did they want” Enquired Tommy, Ada stayed quiet and nodded.

“Well they were pretty quick in attacking us, we didn’t really have time for chit chat Tommy. She’s just a little shaken”.

Ada spent the rest of the evening at Joel’s, sitting on the porch enjoying the warmer weather. They had a whiskey, to “calm their nerves” said Joel, Ada knew he only included himself in that statement to make her feel better.

“You don’t have to pretend you were scared on my account but thank you” she sighed accepting the glass.

“Who said I wasn’t scared?” He sat down in the chair across from her.

“You didn’t seem it was all.”

“I suppose I was just pretty focused on keeping us alive. The thought of anything happening to you… that scared me Ada”.

She smiled softly at him, looking at his hazel eyes which were looking right back into her blue ones. ‘Jesus’ she thought, this was it, he was it and she had tried fighting it, fighting him but she had fallen hook, line and sinker just like Tommy had suspected from the start.

She got up from her chair and curled into Joel’s lap wrapping her arms around him.

“I won’t be going anywhere Joel Miller” She whispered tracing the lines of his face, she noted the small scar near the bridge of his nose and kissed it. She pulled back so she could see his whole face.

“I saved your life today. Does that make us even?” She teased.

Joel laughed warmly, “Not yet, remember I saved you first today from that other guy. That makes it twice I have saved your life now”.

“Alright cowboy. I want to hear that guitar I was promised” she said passing him his guitar and they sat down for the rest of evening with Joel plucking away at his six string and Ada feeling at peace.

Ada woke in Joel’s bed the following morning. The spring brought the brighter mornings and the sunlight was managing to just break through the curtains of Joel’s room. She turned to the other side of the bed to see Joel was still sound asleep, she didn’t want to wake him it was rare to be able to sleep in. She looked to the nightstand and saw a book about space. Picking it up she thought some light reading might keep her occupied until Joel awoke.

However she couldn’t focus on the words on the page, she read the same sentence over and over again

‘Space exploration is the ongoing discovery and exploration of celestial structures in outer space’, her mind thought about Joel’s rough hands on her as he pulled her dress over he head in one full swoop.

‘Space exploration is the ongoing discovery and exploration of celestial structures in outer space’, she thought about the feel of his mouth and tongue against her inner thigh and then higher and higher until her hands grasped at his hair in pleasure.

‘Space exploration is the ongoing discovery and exploration of celestial structures in outer space’ and the sound of Joel saying her name.

“Good Morning” she heard Joel chirp breaking her train of thought as she quickly closed the book.

“Enjoying a bit of light reading this morning?” He continued.

“I didn’t want to wake you, figured it’s nice to be able to sleep in when we get the chance. A space book though?”.

“Ellie is big on space, talks about it all the time. Would be nice to know what she was actually talking about”

That made Ada smile, she put the book down and crawled closer to Joel.

He took her hand in his and brushed a kiss across her knuckles, “You on rota today?”

“Just a short shift in the greenhouses and then I should be done for the day”

“Meet me for a drink after?” He asked and she agreed jokingly asking if this was the real date, he didn’t say no.

It felt like a longer shift than usual at the greenhouses today, Ada wasn’t working alongside Dina like usual so she had no one to keep her amused whilst she tended to the harvests. This gave her time for her mind to wonder too much, she thought about Joel a lot, he said he was out on patrol with Tommy this afternoon which set her mind at some ease, he was with his brother, out of town and further away from Abby today but what was she doing? Was she on patrol? Helping out some other way? Ada knew she was going to have to do something sooner rather than later but how to go about it, she didn’t have the right answer yet. “That’s it for the day everyone, put your feet up for the rest of the day. You’ve earned it” called someone.

Ada made her way after work straight to the bar to meet Joel, she had some mud on her jeans but she didn’t seem to think Joel would mind. Her eyes scanned the room but they couldn’t find him, she must have been the first to arrive. She ordered them both a drink and a meal, if she was hungry she could only imagine how much Joel was looking forward to something to eat. Seth dropped off at her table two large beers and two warm stews, Ada was tempted to sink her spoon into the bowl there and then but she thought it be rude not to wait a couple extra minutes on Joel. The chair next her was pulled out from the table but when she looked up from her food it wasn’t Joel sat across from her.

“Who are you waiting for?” Abby asked pulling the chair in closer to Ada but Ada didn’t answer her question.

“What are you still doing here Abby? You can’t seriously think you can hurt him without getting yourself killed”

Abby shrugged, “I don’t know, maybe it be worth it”.

“That’s just stupid and you know it too” Ada scoffed at Abby’s casualness about the whole situation.

“You care about them don’t you? I saw the way he was dancing with you”

Ada was silent, so Abby continued.

“You were all too happy to attend a trip across the country to kill him a few months ago, in that space of time did you just forget what he did?”

“I was happy helping friends not get themselves killed, you needed me, until you all didn’t and left me behind. What happened before had nothing to do with me Abby, that was your crusade.” Ada could feel the sternness in her voice and her glare on the woman sitting across from her. Abby’s eyes broke away from hers “Oh and as if on queue, here comes the old man. Have fun you two” she says sadistically and before leaving dips her hand into Ada’s bowl of food and steals a bit of bread.

“I am sorry I’m late, patrol took a little longer than I thought” Joel began apologising.

“Everything alright?”

“Just a few more infected than we would have hoped but nothing I couldn’t handle”.

They began digging into their food while it was still warm, they barely spoke until they had finished.

“Abby keeping you company while you waited?” Joel asked after taking a sip of his beer.

“Mhmm” Ada hummed not wanting to talk about Abby after their unsettling exchange.

“Seems like a nice girl. She’d be great out on patrols, has some amount of strength behind her”. Ada must have made some face along with a noice that sounded unconvinced at Joel’s statement because Joel holds her hand on the top of the table and asks “My god woman, do you trust anyone?”.

“I trust you” Ada sighs, squeezing his hand, “…and Ellie, Dina, Jesse and Tommy, Maria-“

“Alright I get it, I get” Joel laughs before raising her hand to his lips and pressing a kiss to it. It was the most affection they had displayed in view of others ever and people had taken notice. There was no point in hiding it now, if Abby knew it was hardly a worry that the town would know.

“So you two kiss and make up then?” Tommy laughed patting his older brother on the back. Joel looked bashful, which was unusual for him. Ada’s mouth hung open in surprise, “What? How would you even-“.

“You think I couldn’t tell by the way you two have been looking at each other?”

“Oh well I am glad you knew because up until a few weeks ago I thought we hated each other” Ada laughed. It felt nice, not having to hide how she felt, being able to enjoy and share these moments with the people she would now consider ‘friends’.

Once Tommy left the two of them in peace to finish their drinks Ada decided to ask, “Go back out on patrols with me?”

“Is that you asking me or telling me?”

“It’s me asking and hoping you’ll say yes” Ada continued, if she could also be set up on patrols with Joel it could mean she could keep a close eye on him herself if Tommy wasn’t around.

“Sure, I mean how can I say no to the woman with the best shot in town” He smiled before they headed home for the night.

She was lying in bed later that night, next to Joel who was looking up at the ceiling, he looked pensive.

“You good?” asked Ada softly.

“You know what, I am… For the first time in a while, things feel good”.

Ada had pulled on the one dress she owned, she had managed to trade some meat for it a couple weeks ago on a whim that she might attend her first dance in Jackson. It was simple but it was still flattering, thin straps leading to a cream crochet dress, she didn’t know how dressed up people got for these things but she did her best. When she arrived at the Town Hall she was still pretty early hoping to arrive before Abby. She spotted Ellie and Dina across the room, picking up a drink from the bar Ada joined them. “Glad I am not the only one who’s early” Ada smiled.

“Well Dina always likes to get here early so she can fit in as many dances as possible” Ellie teased. After some more small talk Ada tried to quiz them on Abby, what story was she going by? Where did she say she came from? But before the words could cross her lips, Ada was distracted as Joel walked in, he seemed to notice her almost immediately. Ada couldn’t help but look at her feet, he looked disappointed at her response and b lined for the bar.

“He seems to really care about you, you know? I know he can be a pain but you seem to keep him on his toes” Ellie chimed in, nudging Ada.

“I don’t think so. We can’t stand each other”

“Doesn’t look like it from where I am standing or sound like it either, he always brings you up any chance he can” Ellie laughed but then she turned serious, “He was going to apologise today. I don’t know what for, but if it was anything to do with last week you should know he wouldn’t have meant it”.

Ada looked confused, “That week is always a bad week for him, he’s gotten better with it but it still brings back memories for him, of Sarah” Ellie elaborated.

“Sarah?”

“His daughter” Ellie sighed.

Ada’s heart sank a little at the thought of Joel grieving his child, who she didn’t even know about, she looked across the room to try and spot Joel. When her eyes found him, she saw that Abby was standing talking to him. ‘It was sick’ thought Ada, like some creature hunting its prey or a cat playing with a mouse. Before she knew what she was doing her feet were carrying her across the room in their direction. Joel seemed surprised that Ada would walk right up to him, he didn’t say anything.

“Dance with me?” Ada asked putting her hand out, to keep Abby away from Joel she was going to have to get closer to him tonight. He took her hand silently and followed her into the centre of the room.

Ada felt his other hand move to the small of her back, moving closer into him she could smell his scent, a mix of the outdoors and fresh soap.

“I wanted to apologise earlier before you ran off” he whispered, his lips were so close to her ear that she could hear it so clearly.

“I know, I didn’t mean to run off”. It feel quiet again for a moment.

“That dress really is something on you” He said his thick accent standing out, Ada could feel him smirking as he said it, she couldn’t help but blush and laugh slightly at the comment.

“Yeah it’s better than the usual muddy jeans for patrol”

“Oh I don’t know, they do it for me too” Joel continued suggestively, his hand traced a line up the curve of her back. She became acutely aware of them being around people, particularly Abby who kept looking at them every so often.

“Joel-“ Ada began, Joel could sense in her tone that he might not like what she was going to say so he spoke before she could finish.

“I am sorry about the other night. I didn’t mean any of it I was drinking and -” He whispered and held onto her hand tighter as he swayed her to the music.

She interjected, “You meant some of it but you weren’t wrong I do find easier to be alone, it’s harder to let yourself care”

“I want to - care that is and I think you do too” he pulled back slightly to be able to look down at her, she smiled at him but quickly pressed her head back to his shoulder.

Ada was completely torn, she had known Abby a long time but they left her behind without a second thought and she had found the young woman incredibly difficult to see eye to eye with back in Seattle. And then there was Joel: although he had committed a terrible crime, he wasn’t a completely bad person, he just did what anyone would if it was their child who had been on that operating table, she looked across the room at Ellie, maybe he saw some of Sarah in her. He had travelled across the country with her, protected her, grown to love her like his own, ‘Alliances change’, Ada thought and nothing was black and white, morals were a grey area in this new world. She didn’t know what she would do but she knew she couldn’t let either of them die now, not if she could prevent it.

The song came to an end and felt Joel lips lightly kiss the nape of her neck, it was so gentle no one really even noticed.

“Sit and have a drink with me?” Joel asked and Ada nodded silently.

Her eyes were fixed on Abby whilst Joel went to retrieve them both a drink. Abby seemed to be trying to acclimatise into Jackson, speaking with different people throughout the night.

“Here you go” Joel chirped breaking Ada’s eyes away from Abby.

“So about last week-“ he continued but Ada stopped him.

“It’s alright Joel… Ellie explained to me, she didn’t tell me everything but I know it must have been a tough week.”

“She told you?”

“She said that you had a daughter, Sarah and that, that week brings back some hard memories. I am so sorry Joel”

He was quiet for a while, “So what do you think about the new addition to town?”

‘Changing the subject’ Ada noted mentally. She looked over at Abby, “I don’t know, what do we know about her? Can we trust her?”

That made Joel laugh, “Well Miss Ada, the same could be said about you”.

“Okay that’s fair. What do you want to know Joel Miller?”, Ada turned her chair into face him directly, he matched her movement.

“So what is Ada short for?” Asked Joel, Ada explained her full name was Adelaine Abertnathy. “That’s a bit of a tongue twister together but Adelaine, well it really suits you” he smiled warmly.

“Fair’s fair. I should get to ask you a question”

“Alright then, shoot”

She asked about what he did before the outbreak, Joel explained he was a carpenter but when he was younger wanted to be a country singer, “You sing? Now that I have to see” she made him promise to at least play the guitar for her once.

“Is this classed as a date or an interrogation?” Ada laughed.

“Which do you want it to be?” Joel smirked taking another sip of his beer.

“Don’t answer my question with a question. That makes it my turn again, how is it that you and Ellie are like family? I hear people call you her old man but you’re not her father?” Ada knew what she was asking and part of her knew the answer but she wanted to understand Joel.

“I ain’t her father but I promised someone I would look after her for a while, and well after months together, protecting each other, picking each other up when we needed it. I decided from there on I would look after her as long as needed.” and what Joel meant by that was until his last day on this earth.

Joel seemed to pause for a moment, almost as though he wasn’t sure if he should ask the next question.

“What happened to your family?” His face earnest. Ada shifted in her chair and began looking out the corner of her eye, where to start. “Well I have parents but they moved away across state. Honestly I don’t know what happened to them but my siblings. I had a younger sister and brother, my sister she got bit and shot herself so she wouldn’t have to turn and my brother well we got set upon my this bunch of vultures. Would shoot you for the shoes off you feet… they shot him two rounds of ammo and a handful of fucking tinned food” her voice broke slightly, Joel didn’t know what to say, “You are lucky to have Tommy and Ellie” she smiled at him, he smiled softly back and took her hand giving it a squeeze.

“Well I think that’s enough questions for one night, what do you say I walk you home?” Joel suggested.

“I’d like that”.

They were standing at the crossroads between Ada’s and Joel’s houses.

“Well I guess this is where we say goodnight” Ada said trying to break the awkward tension in the air. Joel hummed in agreement, before Ada thought about what she should do next her fingers hooked onto Joel’s belt loops and pulled him closer to her. They kissed and this time she made no attempt to pull away. She felt his hands grab at the fabric of her dress, gather it in his hands.

“Come home with me?” Joel asked in between kisses, Ada couldn’t stop herself long enough to say yes but nodded and followed Joel.

It was a week later and Ada still hadn’t received an invite from Joel for dinner. “He’s been pretty quiet this week maybe he isn’t feeling well, don’t take it personally” said Tommy as Ada enquired if he had seen his brother, “I thought you two found each other difficult anyway?” He asked, “We do” she replied smiling to herself. Since Tommy didn’t want to explain what was going on Ada marched to Joel’s home and knocked on the front door, when Joel answered he looked well enough, “Where have you been all week?” She asked. He was in his usual jeans and a plaid shirt over his t-shirt but he looked a little tired round the eyes. “I have been here” he said looking confused as Ada pushed past him into his house, “Please come in” he said sarcastically closing the door behind them.

“Well you did invite me, or you half attempted too” Ada sighed crossing her arms, she can see in Joel’s face as he pieces together each part. Suddenly a wave of clarity, “Dinner” he mutters rubbing the back of his head and sighs, “I fucked up, I didn’t realise what week it was. Sorry can we do it another time?” He asks. Ada looks around at the house, a couple whiskey bottles sat out on the kitchen table and a blanket and books lying on the sofa, “Another time? You don’t look particularly busy. What’s been going on this week?”.

There is a pause before Joel answers “It’s - It’s my birthday” he says quietly.

“And this is how you want to spend your birthday? Cooped up in the house alone?” Ada enquires, confused. Joel goes to fill a glass with some whiskey from one of the bottles, “As a matter of fact, it is”. He seemed like he had already had a few drinks. “Have you eaten anything? Ada asked, Joel shook his head and she began rummaging through the cabinets and fridge. He asked what she was doing, “Well it’s about dinner time anyway and I think you could use some food with drink”. Joel was quiet while she cooked and she decided to not ask anymore questions until he had some food in him.

They were sat eating some venison Joel had gotten from the butchers. “I didn’t think you’d be a big birthday person Joel but would you not like to go out, maybe see Ellie or Tommy?” She suggested focusing on the food on her plate to avoid looking at him. “No, no I always prefer to spend it by myself” he says fidgeting with his wrist. Ada decided to look at Joel, her eyes softening and her head titling confused as to why anyone would go out of their way to spend it alone. She decided to ask, “Why?”. She heard Joel exhale loudly as he put down his knife and fork, sitting back into his seat.

“I just prefer too, alright” his tone was sharp and his body language defensive.

“Alright, Jesus sorry I asked” Ada turned away gathering the plates for washing.

“It’s not like you don’t prefer to be alone 90% of the time anyway” He stated, she didn’t want to engage in where this conversation seemed to be going but that didn’t stop Joel.

“Why should any of us open up to you when you a so quiet and secretive about where you came from before” he continued.

Ada could feel the anger that Joel was able to arise in her start flooding to the surface again. “You - You are such a brute, you know that? I come here after you have ignored me all week, make you dinner when you are day drinking and you try to pick a fight.” She scolded getting up from her seat.

“I don’t need this shit Joel. Goodnight” and with that Ada slammed the mans front door behind her and headed for home. She should have known better was what she thought, they were both too complicated people.

“Did you hear?” Dina asks as she works with Ada a couple days later in the greenhouses. Ada had been getting much better with the help of Dina but still it wasn’t her preferred role in Jackson.

“Hear what?”

“There is another new person in town, she arrived yesterday. Had said she heard about it from someone and wanted a fresh start” Dina continued.

“Hmm” Ada hummed, her mind was still on the other night with Joel, they hadn’t spoken to each other since.

“I met her, seems nice but she was built, like stacked.” Dina kept talking not noticing Ada wasn’t paying all that much attention. When they finished their shift, they walked home in the same direction now with Dina spending most of her nights with Ellie.

“There she is, let me introduce you guys” Dina gestured over at the small group, there was Joel, Ellie and a large female with blonde hair pulled back into a braid

“Abby!” Dina called, Ada’s ears perked up for the first time all day and she felt her body stiffen as the new addition to Jackson turned around to meet her eyeline.

“Meet Ada, she was the new person before you arrived into town” Dina nods between you both. Abby reaches out her hand smiling, Ada takes it, her limbs feel stiff, frozen.

“It’s nice to meet you, Joel and Ellie were just giving me the run down of town” Abby explains as her grip tightens on Ada’s hand, Ada copied her and didn’t take her eyes off Abby for a second. She wanted to say something but it felt like her words were stuck in her throat, she felt sick. Joel nodded while Ellie began to chat with Dina and Abby.

“Can I talk with you? Privately?” Joel asked quietly leaning in towards Ada so only she could hear.

“I best head off, I will see you all tonight at the dance?” Abby began walking off, Ada had to get her alone.

“I can’t just now Joel. We can chat later?” Ada said rather dismisivily as she left Joel standing and instead followed the path of Abby. Ada followed her round the corner of the street so as that they were out of eyesight.

As soon as Ada was close enough she grabbed Abby and pinned her up against the wall, “What the fuck are you doing here?”.

Although Ada was strong, you could tell just by looking at Abby she had the upper hand on physical strength, she pushed Ada off of her,

“You know what I am doing here, did you think I wasn’t going to come back? Why are you still here?”.

“Why am I still here? When we got caught in that blizzard months ago, you all fucking left me and I got set on by a hoard of runners. I am lucky to even be alive” Ada spat furiously.

“We never meant to leave you. But you can come back now with me after all of this” Abby sighed straightening out her jacket.

Ada felt that sick feeling again, “Abby, what are you going to do? He was standing there right in front of you, you could have done it right there and then”.

“I am not stupid, I can’t do it in the middle of this town.” Abby smirked before walking off and leaving Ada in complete disbelief. She knew what Abby was capable off and how to determined she must be to have travelled here a second time, alone. Ada headed home and got ready, if Abby was going to this Spring Dance in the Town Hall she was going to have to go too.

Ada woke up before Joel in the morning, she had to admit her head ached a little from the drinks of last night. She looked across at Joel, his one arm lying across her stomach, the other bunched in the pillow his face was burrowed into, she noticed his hair falling the wrong way and she couldn’t help herself but brush it back in place. It seemed unimaginable that they were lying across from each other in bed, all that fighting to keep him away had been pointless. She could no longer see the man sleeping next to her as he had initially been described, violent, brutal, cruel, Ada was sure he could be all those things but who could say that hand on heart they handnt been any one of those things in the past twenty years. She knew she had been all three at some points. Joel began to stir, he moaned in his sleep and began shifting aggressively.

Ada reached out to him “Joel, wake up”, he woke with a jolt, “You were having a nightmare” she explained softly. He slammed his head back onto the pillow and pulled her closer to him, “What was it about?” She asked. Joel paused for a bit, trying to decide if he should tell her or not, “They are normally the same things, things I did at the beginning of the outbreak, some things more recently. I ain’t proud of them, they keep me up at night some times but I don’t think I’d here if I hadn’t done them” he sighed into the top of her head. Ada placed her hand on his chest and turned to face him, “Like what sort of things?” she asked. He paused again “Things that are better not spoken about. What about you? How did you make it so long alone?” Joel question.

“Like I said, I wasn’t always on my own. My family they - well they haven’t been around for a long time now. But I was with a group, we kept each other safe, fed, trained together. Nothing like Jackson though, it still felt like we were just getting by day to day” Ada told him and that was as much as she felt she ever could tell him. ‘Is it considered lying or just not telling the whole truth?’ she thought.

“Well we best get a move on if we want to make good time” Joel placed a kiss on the crown of Ada’s head and pulled off the covers for them to begin the day.

Joel had kept Esther at a bit more of an arms length when everyone said their goodbyes and saddled up with supplies. Ada couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh and eye roll as Joel eventually got away and joined the group, “Not a word” he said in a stern tone. Ada held her arms up, “Hey I wasn’t going to say anything” she laughed. Jesse was watching the two of them and quietly laughed to himself. The journey back felt longer but the group still made it back before the sun had set. “Jesse!” Called a young man, he explained that Dina had been wanting to talk to him, he set off and Seth made his excuses to dart off, it left just Ada and Joel. “Well I think I will head home it’s been a long couple of days” sighed Ada untying her hair from its braid, it has been causing her even more of a sore head. “Do you wanna?” She began, Joel knew what she was suggesting. He shook his head slowly, “I can’t I said Ellie and I would have a movie night, Sorry”. Ada felt a little uncomfortable and slightly regretted asking him, maybe it was just a one time thing, maybe he just needed to get it out his system, see what it would be like. But she smiled softly and said “Not a problem” before heading home Joel said quietly “Let’s just take things one step at a time” and placed his hand on her shoulder.

A couple days later and Ada could still feel the touch of his hand on her shoulder, like It was lingering over her like a ghost. What was that? She thought, was it supposed to be friendly? “You’ve cleaned that glass at least three times now” Jesse called from his stool at the bar bringing her attention back into the room. Ada tried to laugh it off and put the glass away, “Do you want another?” She asked gesturing to Jesse’s empty bottle. “Sure, why not” he shrugged, almost soon as she had presented him with the bottle it was empty again. She furrowed her brows at his quizzically “What’s going on with you?” She asked, Jesse put his head in his hands and had a tight grip on his hair, not looking at Ada he said “She’s pregnant”.

“Who?” She questioned further.

“Dina, I got Dina fucking pregnant” Jesse said shaking his head in his hands. Ada grimaced, it didn’t sound like it was something they had planned and judging that Dina was now with Ellie it sounded like a complicated situation. “Aw Jesse, is she going to keep it?” Ada asked putting her hand on his shoulder. She noticed what she was doing, ‘putting your hand on someone’s shoulder is a friendly thing, a friend thing’ she thought. Jesse didn’t know but said he would support what ever decision she made, Ada suggested he maybe stop drinking and go and tell Dina that. He agreed and as he was walking out Joel walked in.

He took Jesse’s seat, “What you doing behind the bar?” He asked Ada. She began wiping down the other side of the bar trying not to give him too much attention “Seth’s not feeling well. I offered to help him out tonight while he rested”.

“Does that mean free drinks this evening?” He jokes trying to catch Ada’s eyes and he does as she peers out the corner of her eye.

“You should be so lucky” remarked Ada.

“Can I at least get a beer?” Joel requested. Ada went to retrieve the man his drink.

“Shit I’ll have to get another crate, I am out” Ada groaned, Joel offered to help but she was adamant she could do it. She made her way into the back of the bar and found the crates in the corner of the dark room, the light switched on as she reached out for them. “Let me give you a hand” Joel insisted resting his hand on Ada’s shoulder, she didn’t say anything but started at his hand again placed on her shoulder. “Ugh stop putting your hand on my shoulder like that” she whined and pulled his hand off her. Joel looked confused “Why?”.

“Its just something I would do to a friend and we’re not friends” she began ranting,

“We aren’t?” Joel asked but she didn’t stop to answer.

“I noticed it earlier when I did it too Jesse, it’s how you comfort or act with a friend” Ada kept going, Joel held up his hands “Woah Woah, what are you talking about?” He laughed which made Ada give him that look. “I don’t know what you are harping on about but I have never seen you get this flustered or bothered. It’s cute” Joel lifted his hand, holding her chin between thumb and index finger. He guides her face closer to his and kisses her. “I ain’t bothered or flustered” she protested against his lips trying to mock his Texan accent, he pulled back and stared into her eyes. Ada felt as though no one had looked at her that intensely before, “Oh I think I bother you a lot” he smirked.

They emerged a few minutes later from the back of the bar, a few people looked at them as Joel carried the crate for Ada. “Just place it over there, thanks” Ada pointed to a spot under the bar “As you wish mam” Joel joked placing it down and removing a bottle for his trouble. He drank his bottle quietly occasionally stealing glances at Ada, when she was reaching up for something, he noticed the curve at the small of her back or when she bent down he tilted his head and thought about how he would like to bend her over in the dark of his room. She caught him watching her, “I am trying to work” she whispered under her breath to him, “and I am just trying to have a quiet drink but here you are distracting me” he sparred back. Ada was closing up for the night and Joel was waiting outside for her as she locked up the bar. “Thought you might like a bit of company for the trip home” Joel smiled and dug his hands into his pocket, it was only a five minute trip. As they got closer to Ada’s house Joel took his hands from his pocket and took one of Ada’s hands, “Do you want come round for dinner one night?”, she said they would, she would like that a lot.

warning for smut and cuss words

The journey to the town was short and quiet. “Get anything good?” Jesse had asked, Joel huffed and Ada responded gesturing at her new jacket. That was the extent of the exchange for the rest of their ride to town. When they arrived they were greeted by a small group of people, two men and a woman, Esther. Esther and Joel discussed the supplies they each had and what they were willing to trade, Ada unsaddled her horse during the exchange listening in every so often “You should have a drink with us tonight since you’re not travelling till tomorrow” she heard Ester suggest. Ada peered out the corner of her eyes to see Esther playfully knocking Joel’s bicep, “We have to set out pretty early but I guess some food and a couple of drinks wouldn’t hurt, what do the rest of you say?” He smiles, Jesse and Seth respond but Ada stands there with her arms crossed and raised her eyebrows. Joel would just have to take that as a yes.

They were staying in small house just next door to Esther’s home where she was hosting them all for dinner with a nice supply of drinks. Ada was sat next to Jesse with Joel directly across from her, Esther had taken the seat next to him, ‘at least it kept him and Seth apart whilst they were drinking’ thought Ada. She watched as Esther fawned over Joel, making sure his glass was always full, if he would like more to eat. Ada took the bottle that Joel had just set in the middle of the table whilst his hands were still on it, “Maybe you can spare some for the rest of us Joel?” She added. Something about her tone felt off to him and he watched as she poured herself another glass. Jesse and Joel both lifted their eyebrows and said nothing. Esther started again harping on about Joel, stories from the past four years when they had been trading, she went on to tell that one time they were set upon by some stragglers, Esther’s hand was again resting on her his again, “He was the best shot I had ever seen” she chirped. Ada let out a laugh that she tried to disguise as a cough. “You alright?” Asked Jesse and Seth, “Yes, sorry something must have went down the wrong way” she excused. Joel’s eyes were stern and fixed on Ada as he pressed his foot down on top of hers as a warning to cut it out. She had about enough at this point and knocked his foot from hers causing him to spill some of his drink “Shit” he exclaims, of course Esther was quick to start patting his damp shirt with a towel. Jesse is looking between you and Joel, “I am tired, I am going to turn in for the night. Thank you for the meal Esther” Ada smiled.

She was outside when Joel caught up with her, “What the hell was that all about?” He called out. Ada turned to face him “Shouldn’t you be back in there with your old friend?” she retaliated, raising her eyebrows. Joel let out a surprised scoff, he had told the table he was going to clean himself up but found himself following after her. “What is it exactly you want from me?” He asks angrily, Ada’s anger matching his “Nothing, I want nothing from you. I want you to stay away from me and go back to Esther. Sure she’ll take good care of you”.

Joel began to laugh, Ada felt the blood running through her veins begin to turn hot,

“Oh I get it” Joel begins, “You’re jealous.” Now Ada tries to laugh but it doesn’t sound convincing “Please, I knew you were full of yourself but Jesus Joel”.

They both continue to stare at each other, “When I kissed you earlier, you liked it. Don’t lie to me, I felt you pulling me closer to you” he said calmer taking a step closer. Ada lifted her hand to smack him but Joel caught it. “I can’t stand to be near you, every time you say something you make me furious. I am going to bed why don’t you go back to Esther, I am sure she will tell you everything you want to hear” Ada hisses.

“I have met some difficult woman in my life but you are by far the worst. I think I will go back in there, goodnight Ada” he released her arm and headed back inside. Ada made her way back to their rooms for the night, her checks damp.

Ada had settled her things into the bigger room in the home, since she was the first one back it seemed fair. She had changed into a plaid shirt and shorts to sleep but she had been sat on the edge of her bed for what felt like hours mulling events over in her head. Everything would have been easier if she had just left Jackson a few months ago, it was too complicated knowing these people now, she couldn’t separate her feelings from what she knew but she knew she felt something. Ada thought about how she was watching Joel across the table from her tonight, it was one of the first times she had really noticed how good looking he was, of course she had seen it before but she had never taken the time to appreciate it. His hazel eyes were so warm, a bit like the colour of the whiskey he had been drinking, his hair was rather long falling onto his forehead, long enough to really run your fingers through noted Ada and he was strong, she had known he was but seeing him close and tense around her earlier so could actually feel it. Putting her head in her hands she finally admitted it to herself, she liked him.

The door creaked open slowly, “Ada?” A voice called softly, “Are you awake?”, it was Joel. Ada lifted her head from her hands, “Yeah I am up”, “Shouldn’t you be back at Esther’s with the others?” She asked, a small sniffle escaped her (she hoped he didn’t hear it, the last thing she wanted him to know was that he made her cry). Joel closed the door behind him “No I shouldn’t, I actually should be here apologising. I am sorry, I was over the line earlier” he said his hand against his other arm sheepishly. Ada spoke quietly “It’s alright”, she should probably apologise too considering she even went to slap him but Joel knew better than to be forgiven and apologised to in the same breath. “Wow, it didn’t think you’d forgive me so easy” he chuckled, “Don’t ruin it” replied Ada. They stayed silent for a moment, “Well I will stay out of your way from now on. Goodnight Ada” Joel went to leave the room - “Joel wait” she sighed stopping him in his tracks. Ada sat up straighter this time when she spoke “I don’t think I want you to stay away from me, not really”. Joel closed the door again and moved across the room to where Ada sat, she took his hand in hers “I have tried staying away from you and it hasn’t worked so far because I was jealous tonight and I did like our kiss” she almost whispered.

Joel pulls her up from the bed and crashes his lips onto hers, she is pulling him even closer than she had earlier today almost clawing at his hips and shoulders. His hand makes its way under the shirt she was wearing to her bare skin, it felt piercing like glass. She opened her mouth this time inviting him closer, his tongue traced across her bottom lip, Ada couldn’t help the little moan that escaped her lips, hearing the sound made Joel groan, god did he want her. She pulled at his shirt trying to remove it from him, he helped and removed hers in the process, his hands traced her silhouette from her hips, to her breasts to her collarbone, she looked so small under his large rough hands. Ada pulled him on top of her, both of them desperate, needing each other as much as the other. Joel’s hands reached into her underwear and began to circle the folds he felt under his index finger but Ada was already ready. There was a sense of relief when he thrust himself inside of her, like they had been deprived up until then and they both let out large breath in unison as he did. It just felt right as Ada began to match Joel’s pace trying to pull him closer, deeper if that were possible she heard Joel cuss in response and it made her grin to think she had been the cause. She pulled his mouth towards hers and they kissed and moaned against their lips until Joel quickly pulled himself out and spilled over the inside of her leg groaning and trying to catch his breath as he did.

He fell onto his back and they lay there side by side looking at the ceiling in silence for a bit, “I have been wanting to do that since the first time you called me an ass” Joel whispered and they both began to laugh. “Really?” Asked Ada surprised. “Oh yeah and when we first went on patrol together. They way you just took my gun from me and showed me up, gotta say it turned me on”, they continued laughing together for a bit until it fell silent again, Ada turned onto her side to be able to look at Joel. “I think that’s why I tried to stay away from you. Deep down under the snide remarks” Ada said raising her eyebrows, “I wanted you too” which made Joel smile and kiss her hand which he was holding. Ada never asked Joel to stay that night but they both fell asleep pretty peacefully still entangled.

Premise | A young woman named Ada escapes a near death experience from a hoard of infected just outside the town of Jackson with the help of a man named Joel and his brother Tommy. They take her back to town with them.

- "Playlist - Her Own Worst Enemy"

Chapter 1 - A New Arrival

Chapter 2 - Jackson

Chapter 3 - Keeping A Distance

Chapter 4 - Walking a Fine Line

Chapter 5 - Crossing a Line

Chapter 6 - Everyone's got a Past

Chapter 7 - Watchful Eye

Chapter 8 - Reverie

Chapter 9 - Close Call

Chapter 10 - Resolute

Chapter 11 - Aftermath

Chapter 12 - TBA

Chapter 13 - TBA

It had been a couple weeks and Ada felt like she had finally settled in, a two bedroom little house she could call hers and she had been set up with regular patrols (she still had to work in the greenhouses once in a while but Dina had offered to help her improve her green thumb). She had even made a new friend in Jesse who she regularly patrolled with. She had just arrived back from a patrol with Jesse when Dina was calling after the pair of them, she was in the middle of a snow ball fight with a bunch of children, there wasn’t much snow left now it was getting closer to spring. “Have you done any work today Dina or have you just been playing with the kids?” Jesse enquired shaking his head handing the horses to the stables. A snow ball hit the back of his head, he turned his head and Dina had her hands behind her back doing her best to look innocent. “We have all been asked to dinner tonight” she said skipping up towards you both.

“Who is asking?” Ada furrows her brows, “Ellie, Joel, Tommy and Maria” she replies and quickly assess the look on Ada’s face “7pm tonight at Joel’s don’t be late” she says quickly rushing off before either of them could protest. “Fuck sake” Ada muttered under her breath, “What is it with you and Joel?” quizzes Jesse. Brushing it off she walks home and gets ready, she would have to be at Joel's in an hour.

She stood at the door for a few minutes, she had lifted her hand to knock a couple times but couldn’t find the nerve. Taking a deep breath, she knocked the door and Joel answered. “Evening Ada, nice to see you” He smiled pulling the door further open to reveal everyone else had already arrived. Ada made her way into the house, Joel didn’t move from the door and Ada shoulder brushed his chest. “Thanks for the invite” she tried to smile back at him. She joined everyone at the table, she sat next to Jesse for the evening. They all spoke over dinner, when Ada’s glass ran empty Jesse noticed and filled it up along with his own, she thanked him and he turned to everyone “You should all see this one with a gun, wooh” he whistled gesturing at Ada, “Never seen anything like it in my life”. Ada could feel her cheeks turning red.

“I saw her shoot” Joel jumped in, “Shit Tommy she’s better than you. Best shot in town” and everyone began to laugh.

“Now that I got to see” Tommy chuckled and Ada offered to take a patrol with him next time. Once everyone had finished their food and drinks Ada began clearing the plates, she went to take Joel’s who told her to leave it, that she was a guest and he would clean. “You cooked, it’s only fair so don’t argue” Ada sighed and continued to clear.

Half way through cleaning the dishes she heard Tommy and Maria make their excuses and say goodbye. Jesse popped his head into the kitchen to check on Ada, “You going to be long? I can wait, walk you back?” He offered, she kindly declined as she only lived a few houses down. Ada went back to the task at hand, cleaning the last remaining glasses, the water was warm and she appreciated the simple luxury of the feel of it against her hands. Joel entered the kitchen and stood at the sink next to Ada silently as he began to dry everything she had cleaned. “Where’s Ellie and Dina?” She asked, they had turned in for the night, leaving just Ada and Joel. It fell quiet again.

“You have been avoiding me” Joel said not looking up from the dish in his hand. Ada tried to dismiss him but he interrupted her “It wasn’t a question. I know you have. You’ve been asking to be put on patrols with Jesse when it’s between myself and him” he continued. Ada cleaned the same glass again, she couldn’t remember f she had done it already. “I just wanna know why?” he asks offering her the towel he had been using to dry her hands, she accepted and took a deep sigh. “You just rub me up the wrong way sometimes” she fibbed slightly and rather convincingly. Joel took a second and calmly nodded his head “Okay and Jesse he doesn’t?”.

She crosses her arms “No he doesn’t”, her tone of voice getting defensive. “He likes you know, I can tell, I have a knack for these things” he teases her.

“A knack for these things” she mimics in his texan accent which causes him to laugh, “Please Jesse isn’t interested in me in the slightest Joel. Would you give it a rest, see your doing it already” she whined.

“Doing what?” He asked leaning his hand against the counter edging him even closer to her than he was already,

“Pissing me off`’.

“Well it isn’t my intention” Joel says looking down at her and ‘well then what is’ Ada thought to herself.

“I should go, it’s getting late” Ada began handing back the towel to Joel. She was about to leave when Joel called her name, “I know I piss you off but in a couple days me and a some others are headed out to exchange supplies with some neighbours. I think you should be there, we could use your aim” he suggested.

“I’ll think about it” she sighed before leaving.

A couple days later Ada was saddled up and ready the days trip it would take to get to the neighbouring town. After Joel had asked and Tommy got word he put your name down for the trip along with Jesse and an older man named Seth. “Do your best to keep Seth and Joel apart would ya?” Tommy whispered to Ada as she hoisted herself on to Shimmer, “They don’t get on”.

“I ain’t babysitting them but I will keep an eye” she laughed, Tommy gave her a thankful nod and they set off on their trip. A few miles in they came across some abandoned shops, “Lets split in pairs, one group take the left of the street the other the right” Jesse suggested as you tied up the horses. Before they could decide who was in what pair Seth had already headed off to the left with Jesse, 'typical' thought Ada.

“Looks like you’re stuck with me” Ada said gesturing to Joel they would take the right side of the street. They found some tinned food in an old cafe and made their way into the next store, it was a clothing store. It didn’t look there was much in the way of supplies in there but Ada found a door at the back still locked, she took out a shiv and began to push at the door. Joel asked what she was doing, Ada explained she just wanted to see what was behind there. “And what if there is infected in there?” He asked rationally, “Then you best get your gun at the ready” Ada said in a sarcastic tone. The door opened, no infected inside but there was some clothes on racks obviously stock that had been left behind. Ada began flicking through the racks when something caught her eye, “Hello” her voice rang. Joel turned to her to see what she had found, it was a leather jacket. She pulled it on “and of course it fits” Ada smirked, what were the chances. “Looks good on you” Joel commented looking her up and down.

They continued their way through to the next building, there was a small entrance way to the building. They were about to take another step when there was the sound of a bottle breaking, Joel pulled Ada closer to him and back into the entrance way, almost pinning her against the wall. “Keep quiet and still” he remarked. Ada could feel Joel’ arms tensed against her shoulders and his breath on the corner of her neck and he pressed her closer to the wall. They were so close to each other, maybe closer than necessary thought Ada. Joel was looking down at her while she peered over his shoulder, “Joel” she whispered, “Yeah” he asked quietly,

“It’s just a noice trap” she laughed at him and he broke away from her. Ada continued to laugh at Joel who was shaking his head “Yeah, keep on laughing. I’ll remember that next time I have to save your life” he remarked.

“I don’t need you to save my life Joel Miller, I can look after myself” she said but in a more playful tone than she ever had before.

“I know you can” Joel said slightly more seriously which made Ada stop laughing and look at him. She noticed his eyes has softened, he was still close enough that his hand reached out for hers, he pulled her closer again. He pushed a stray bit of her dark hair behind her ear, Ada went to speak to tell him to stop but it was like she couldn’t, she realised she liked the feeling of him being this close to her. Joel’s hand travel round to the back of neck and pulled her face towards his. Ada closed her eyes and followed his lead, it was brief but she felt his lips on hers. Joel noted how soft her lips were and her jaw felt under his rough hands, it felt nice and he parts his lips further to deepen their kiss but Ada stops and breaks away from him. She doesn’t speak, they just look at each other.

“Come on, we best get back to the horses. The town isn’t far from here” he sighed.

The next day Ada had agreed to help out in the greenhouses, harvesting and planting whatever she was given. “You ever done this before?” A girl named Dina asked looking at the botched up job of plating some pumpkin seeds. “Ehm… is that obvious? I’m not really great with gardening, much more useful with a gun than a trowel. I just wanted to repay Tommy and Maria for their hospitality” Ada explained, putting the trowel down and dusting the dirt off her jeans. This made Dina laugh, she had a sweet laugh and kind eyes noticed Ada. “You’re funny, I think I’ll like you. You should speak to Maria about patrols. My girlfriend and a few of our friends work on them, I can put in a good word” she smiled waving her trowel at Ada.

“I am still not sure if I am staying” Ada sighed, picking up some more seeds and dropping them into the soil. Dina pulled a face that said she was both surprised and slightly unconvinced. After sleeping on it too Ada had become a bit more unconvinced herself, she didn’t really have anywhere else to go at this point.

While they were focused on the task at hand there is a tap against the glass, Ada and Dina both look up to see Joel, “Dina you seen Ellie? She is supposed to be coming out on patrol with me this morning” Joel asked loudly through the glass. “I haven’t seen her this morning Joel. Wouldn’t be surprised if she is still in bed” Dina shrugged which made Joel put his fingers to the bridge of his nose, sensing his frustration Dina chimes in again “Why don’t you take Ada with you? She wants to help out but she is pretty useless at gardening, no offence” she turns to Ada. None was actually taken, Dina seemed to be able to chastise people without being cruel just funny. “I can see that” Joel mumbled looking at the state of Ada’s jeans, that pissed her off, he kept doing that. “Well Ada, what do you say? I don’t think Maria will be best pleased but I hate to see you struggling away there” he teased which Dina laughed at.

“You’re making it difficult to want to help you” Ada rolled her eyes but cleaned herself up and followed Joel. She did not enjoy gardening at all.

“You can take out Shimmer for the afternoon” Joel chimed flinging you the reigns to the horse and a rifle.

“Will Ellie be alright with that?” Ada asked, Joel shrugged which made her roll eyes for the second time today. They set off Ada staying at the back of Joel following his path, he seemed to know the route like the back of his hand. Turned out Joel had been doing these paths for four years since he had arrived in Jackson. He was in the middle of explaining how long he had been in Jackson for when he hushed “Look, you seem em? Out towards the gas station”. You both tied up the horses, the group of infected wasn’t very far away but you had the higher ground, “Yeah I see them” Ada confirms. They both lift their rifles stock to their collarbones, Ada looked out of the corner of her eye at Joel as he takes his first shot, noticing he has a scope, no fair she thought but begins to shoot. Joel misses a couple of shots, he wasn’t far off but Ada sighs and puts down her rifle “swap” she says abruptly. “I beg your pardon?” He takes a step back to look at her, she holds hers out to swap. He huffs but gives his over to her, she goes back to shooting but he watches her instead. Lifting the rifle Ada looks down the scope and takes a steady breath before taking the first shot, an infected drops to the ground, she pulls back the barrel and shoots again and again, each time another one of the creatures dropping to the ground.

Once the whole group were out she eased up and passed the rifle back to Joel who was still watching at her “Well I’ll be dammed” he laughs as they swap over.

“I told you I can manage on my own” Ada remarked as they mounted the horses and carried on along the path. There weren’t many infected on the path to the check in, must have cleared most of them out yesterday in that large group. They check in at what looked like it used to be an old resort of some kind, lots of tables and chairs with big fire in the middle. Ada sat down on a chair and propped her feet up on a table whilst Joel signed the books. She noticed a comic lying on the table, she reached out to read it better "Savage Starlight" she read aloud, flipping the pages. Joel turned around "Yeah I have been collecting them for Ellie over the years. They aren't a terrible read to be fair". Ada puts down the comic and catches Joels eyes, "Ellie, she your daughter?"

"Something like that I suppose" Joel replies confusingly.

“I don’t think I have seen many people that can shoot like that in my life, you might be a better shot than our Tommy” he remarked. Ada laughed quietly, it still amused her how taken a back people were when she had a gun in her hand. Joel enquired about where she learned, she tried to brush it off as a natural knack for it, “No one is that good without practice” he insisted lifting his hand interrupting her.

“Well I wasn’t always on my own. Had some good teachers over the past twenty years” Ada sighed and began looking around the chalet to avoid further chit chat.

She began humming to herself as her mind began to wonder what life might have been like in this place years ago, families on holiday together, lovers on a weekend away. “You like music?” Joel asked referring to her humming, “There is a shop just down the street”.

“Of course I like music, doesn’t everyone?” Ada replies rather dismissively. Joel’s body language straightens up as though he was being pulled up by a string.

“Did I do something to offend you? Other than save your life? Because you’ve been giving me grief ever since we met” He called from across the room, his voice so stern it took Ada by surprise. They were both staring at each other and Ada couldn’t help but study the face of the man she had heard so much about but quickly snapped out of it before she got too deep in thought, she couldn’t let it slip.

“I just have a hard time with people alright? Sorry” She shook her head and Joel matched her in shaking his as he muttered under his breath “Cant imagine why”.

“I take back my apology” Ada said quickly after hearing him and headed to the door which made Joel chuckle at her.

“You are going to make my life difficult ain’t you?” And they made their way back to Jackson.

It was approaching dark once Ada had cleaned herself up from Patrol. She was making her way to find Tommy and Maria to tell them of her decision when she bumped into Dina on the way, “You wanna come for a drink with a few friends? You’ve earned it today” she invited warmly, she was a hard person to say no to. So there Ada was a second night in Jackson in the Tipsy Bison once again nursing a whiskey. She liked Dina, she was so charismatic every time she spoke and she made Ada laugh which was rare. It was on the third drink when Maria, Tommy, Joel and a younger girl entered the bar, they made their way across to you and Dina. Dina got up and kissed the girl on the cheek, Joel spoke first “Ada this is Ellie, Ellie this is Ada, the one I told you about. I think you two will get on” he gestured between you both. Ellie rolled her eyes at him “It’s nice to meet you Ada, Joel hasn’t stopped talking about what a good shot you are all day. Isn’t that right Joel?” She jabbed him in the side. Say what you want about Joel but he was right, she liked her already.

When you all sat together Dina became pretty occupied with Ellie and Maria and Tommy were discussing town supplies they needed from the next trade with a neighbouring town. It left Ada and Joel sat next to each other in silence, “I am going to get another, you want one?” Ada offered to Joel shaking her empty glass, he asked what she was drinking, “Whiskey of some sort” she answered. “Ah a whiskey girl, like myself” he sighed taking her glass and following Ada to the bar.

“You’re a whiskey girl?” She teased which made Joel laugh before ordering another two, the drinks had defiantly gone to her head. They both stood there with their drinks for a bit leaving the other four to their conversations. “So you decided what you’re doing yet?” He asked leaning against the bar, Ada nodded, she did know, she just hadn’t said it out loud yet.

“Well like Maria and Tommy, I hope you’ll stay. I think you’d be a great addition here, even if you do keep me on my toes” he smiled kindly down at her, he was a rather tall and built man thought Ada.

“I will” she says, “Be staying that is, I don’t know about being a great addition but I think it be nice to not be on my own” she smiled, there was a bit of sadness in her smile and Joel seemed to notice.

Joel nudged her gently and smiled at her again. He had this kindness and warmth to him, it seemed odd to Ada with how she had initially built the image of him in her head, “I think you should go tell Maria and Tommy” he said. Ada had decided to stay but if she wanted to stay in Jackson and have peace, she was going to have to stay away from Joel Miller.

Premise | A young woman named Ada escapes a near death experience from a hoard of infected just outside the town of Jackson with the help of a man named Joel and his brother Tommy. They take her back to town with them.

A warm bed, it had been so long since Ada had felt the comfort of one. ‘If I just stayed here, would anyone come looking for me? Or could I just stay in this blanket away from the reality that awaited outwith it?”. As if on queue the door to the room she had been given erupted with a knock, with a groan she pulled herself away to answer the door. She glanced in the mirror to straighten out her clothes, her dark hair looking at bit unruly she pulled it up and tied it in place, looking closer she noticed the dark contrast under her blue eyes, still hadn’t had enough sleep. There he was one of the two men who had who had pulled her from the hoard of infected and to the safety of this town in Jackson, 'what was his name again?' Ada thought, everything had been such a blur but he defiantly said it.

“Morning, hope you got some rest? Grabbed you a bite to eat” he smiled throwing a small brown wrapped parcel. Ada engulfed the sandwich inside so quickly it made the man chuckle.

“Thought I’d show you around this morning, let you get a feel for the place. I told Maria to meet us as well” He said closing the door behind them both as they stepped into the cold. Maria and Tommy, those were two names she could remember, Tommy and Maria was his wife.

“I never said I was staying” Ada said defensively pulling her jacket tighter around her, god she hated winter, it was even worse here than back in Seattle.

“All the same” Tommy sighed, “Might help you make that decision”. Ada had never seen anything like it, of course back in Seattle she was in a settlement but here it felt so homely and peaceful, nothing like the constant fighting where she had came from. They met Maria at the greenhouses, she shook Maria’s hand, it was firm and the woman looked right into her eyes. She could tell she was being assessed, this woman, like her, didn’t take any shit. “And what where you doing out there on your own?” Maria asked, eyes fixed on Ada. “Like I said to Tommy, I’ve been on own about a year now. I was running low on supplies so had to go out searching for some, instead I found a pile of infected”.

After explaining how everything worked in Jackson, Ada could see the appeal. “Now after all the work, let’s show you some of the more appealing parts to Jackson” Tommy patted Maria’s back as they headed into the centre of town. It was like some part of normality was preserved in Jackson, there was a church, butchers, a school, diner and even a bar. “This all seems a bit surreal” murmured Ada as she watched the children play in snow. She noticed people were watching her, it was clear everyone here already knew each other. “Why don’t we get all get a drink and you can mull it over, Maria are you done for the day?” Maria nodded at Tommy. They took Ada to the end of the street, next to the sign for the Tipsy Bison was a poster for a winter dance, she scoffed slightly ‘was this place for real’ she thought. Inside it was cosy and full with people exchanging stories across full tables. The three of them all took a table in the corner, Tommy retrieved a round of beers. It tasted good better than most Ada tried before, “You guys brewing this stuff? She asked. They both nodded in unison, “Jesus you’ve got the recipe down” Ada laughed and they joined in. Tommy’s eyes seemed to have caught someone across the room, “Joel, grab a drink and join us” he calls waving the man across.

Ada felt her whole body stiffen, she remembered that name, she knew it before she had even gotten to the bar. Joel looked reluctant at first but eventually pulled up a chair with a whiskey in hand. “Ada, sure you’ll remember Joel” Tommy said patting his brother on the shoulder. Joel smiled slightly “Nice to see under better circumstances, hope you managed to get some rest after all that.” His hazel eyes were fixed on Ada and she noticed a new bruise from the events of this morning underneath. She was quiet in her response and nodded to him, he seemed surprised but took another sip of his drink. Ada quickly finished of her beer choosing to sip at her drink in an attempt to avoid joining the conversation. “You really held your own out there this morning, I got to say I was impressed. Where’d you learn all that?” Joel asked trying to include her, she wished he would stop. “Where did any of us learn it? Just had too but seemed to take to it pretty easy” Ada sighed. Joel nodded at her “Fair enough”.

“So what do you say Ada? How’d you like it here?” Tommy leaned forward, elbows on resting on the table. All three of them were staring at her waiting for an answer, Ada was quiet for a moment, not sure what she thought of the place. “It seems a bit surreal to be honest but I don’t know that I can stay here” she answered. “Why not? I thought you had said you were on your own out there?” asked Joel.

“I was”, “I am” Ada corrected herself. He was right, technically she was alone now and how could she make the trip alone even if they did give her supplies as promised.

“Well wouldn’t you rather stay somewhere like Jackson than be out there on your own?” Joel asked again which frustrated Ada.

“Why would you care? You don’t know me” Ada snapped, she regretted it as soon as she did, it came across irrational to everyone else at the table. She shook her head and quietly apologised. Joel was pretty gracious about it, it seemed odd for a man who this morning had been taking out infected one after the other to have an air of patience about him.

“It’s just a lot” Ada added, they all understood, it had been a crazy day and she had only had a few hours sleep. They agreed to let her sleep on it and make a decision the end of the day tomorrow.

Turning in for the night Ada made her way back to her room for the night, Maria and Tommy went one way and Ada and Joel the other way. “I am just down the bottom of the street” he explained, of course he was thought Ada but she just nodded and stayed silent again. This seemed to frustrate Joel, “You know as someone that just saved your life this morning, you could act a little more grateful” he said abruptly stopping in his tracks.

“I didn’t ask you to save my life” Ada snapped turning around to meet him, he took a step closer towards her “I knew you weren’t as quiet as you were making out to be” he remarked, a smirk creeping on to his face. Ada could feel heat radiating to her face, Joel turned and headed towards his house. “I would have managed fine on my own, asshole” she called across the street as he was opening his front door.

“Yeah you keep telling yourself that” he replied and with that closed the door.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6| Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13| Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 | Chapter 22 

Chapter 21 - Joel is in a really bad way, you and Ellie await to see how and if he will recover

Contains | SMUT and a minor glimpse/reference to PTSD

I am nearing the end of my current story, maybe a one or more chapters till the conclusion. 

In the meantime I am going to start a new piece but my plan with this one is to finish writing it before sharing. So whilst I am working away at that in the background I would love to take any one off requests or suggestions for pieces!

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6| Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13| Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 TBA

Chapter 20 - Joel still hasn't returned from patrol, you set off after him and what you find is beyond what you could have worried about. 

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6| Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13| Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 

Chapter 19 - It’s the night of the winter dance and bonds are beginning to heal

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6| Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13| Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 TBA

Chapter 18 - Joel pulls out all the stops for your second wedding anniversary (warning for smut and cuss words. There is also a bit of fluff) 

Songs mentioned from The Dance 1997 Fleetwood Mac Album