Hi guys, this is my first story I'll go ahead say up front English is not my mother tongue, so I might have some difficulties with spelling and vocabulary (yeah, I might tend repetitive, but, I'll do my best to not do so). I appreciate any feedbacks referring the storyline, content, style, etc…

I am a diehard Joellie, so if you got here you want to see how those two progresses from an infatuation to actually being completely butt crazy in love with it, you are in the right spot. Neither less to say this will be rated will M and it will get some lemon in here. I just hope I can be as convincing, touching and classy as Catrionamac in "Cover Me Up" which is my favorite Joellie fanfic ever.

Hope you all enjoy.

Green Lights – The Lie

Ellie knew Joel lied to her and she decided to be with him even though sooner or later she would have to talk to him about what really happened in South Lake City. She could feel there's something dark and twisted that Joel wanted to protect her but for now his lies were smother and more comforting than thinking of a new life or having to trust someone else.

They crossed miles and miles to finally complete Joel's assignment. He never expected the twists and turns he had through this past year, he could only brag about being a survivor – if brag was the most accurate word to be used – but he has been living for the past 20 years from struggle to another struggle, keeping air in his lungs was the thing that was the most important, he didn't love anyone else, not since Sarah.

He thought about ending his life many times, but even through the pain, even in hardships he was still, subconsciously, hopeful for something new that would bring some light and warmth to his heart. Some of these moments were shared with Tess, not only she was the best companion he could have in this world he was living, but some of his needs were also being answered as well, however it was never as meaningful as the joy he had before the outbreak. And he could never imagine a little girl with bright green eyes could be his rebirth as a human, not as the animal he thought himself to be.

Perhaps admitting the truth to Ellie could be easier, he would be free of the guilty and Ellie was his savior in so many other occasions, not when he was impaled in Colorado and he only had her to survive, but she also brought a new laughter in his smile, a new meaning to wake up. At first he could notice the similarities Ellie shared with Sarah: their optimism, their passion for their loved ones, the caring for other people, willingness to be always be good and do the right thing – all the things that once Joel secretly admired in them, but ever since Sarah's death that was practically buried and cemented in his heart. So Joel couldn't afford to break her heart and say the truth, he would rather bare all the guilty and take it with him than to disappoint his baby girl.

Ellie was decided to do whatever it takes to find the cure for this damn infection, she never knew the world as it used to be, she could rarely see some kindness and hardly ever had some fun moments to herself, but Joel was someone who became her prototype rescued, she followed his change through their journey and learned to love him not as someone she was dependent on, but as someone who had given some love ever since she lost Riley.

They were both intertwined, same heart, same feelings, though they couldn't voice everything – Joel was reserved and demanded to be left alone with his ghosts and Ellie although she was more open, she was afraid of Joel having a change of heart, she could feel his care for her, but she couldn't let go when he almost left her with Tommy for the first time.

So, as they reached Tommy's dam, she was working to let this doubt consume her and not voice it just yet. Joel seemed relieved to be back to Jacksonville he had been craving for some quiet time since they were crossing the downtown in Boston.

Tommy and Maria were thrilled and curious of seeing Joel, and especially Ellie back after 6 months, even knowing Ellie's condition at this time the world's redemption from that curse that has been plaguing was soon to be over – They only hoped. Maria took Ellie and Joel to an empty storage house that could serve as a temporary room for Ellie and Joel, so Ellie after all the doubts that was floating in her head decided to take a nap and Joel took the opportunity to tell Maria and Tommy what really happened.

- 'Since Ellie is sleeping I figured it would be best to let you guys know what really happened.'

- 'What you mean, big brother?' – Tommy asked.

- 'There's no cure, and if there ever was I killed every shot, every trace of it I destroyed.'

Maria and Tommy couldn't believe what they were hearing. At that point, the dam was prospering greatly, so they would need to become stronger to face the adverse items – infected, hunters and they were a lot stronger than when Joel and Ellie left the dam for Colorado University.

- 'I couldn't risk having Ellie taken away from me. I know she was happy to be part of this great achievement – if there was to be one – but, she is too important to be sacrificed for something that could be a failure. When I decided to kill the guards, the doctors and finally Marlene she wasn't just a cargo. I didn't care for me or anybody else at that point. She needed to be saved, she deserved a change to grow and become an adult, even in this shitty world we live, there's still good and I can't see it, she shows me every day and whoever in her relations cannot escape being caught by her light.'

Ellie who was at the other room heard everything Joel shared to Tommy and Maria and she couldn't believe it and couldn't wait to face Joel.

A/N – I am sorry for the short chapter, this is going to be my beta version for first uploading my story. I might revise this in another opportunity. If you like it, please leave your comments and I hope to be posting this at the end of this week or the next… Bye-bye! *pollamolla*