It was just matter of time for Seth to find out who the culprit of the theft was. Dina knew, but she didn't expect for it to go the way it did.

It was Tommy, who rat Ellie out. Dina didn't know he knew. Otherwise she would have done something to… what could she have done exactly? Probably talk to Seth, before he did.

But the things went somewhere different. Tommy talked to Seth, who was clearly furious. They marched together to Ellie's house. And there things took a strange turn.

Ellie apologized. She explained why she did it and Seth… forgave her. Dina was incredulous. He forgave her and Ellie offered to help him in the pub to repay back. That was the most out of place thing Dina ever saw. In another time, Ellie would have never apologized. She would have made fun of him, maybe enraging him even more. But not the new Ellie.

The new Ellie is quiet, polite… as if something has broken inside her. She keeps her eyes low, never makes contact with anyone.

Seth, patted her on the shoulder and for him it was all set. The real problem was Tommy.

He didn't like that Seth forgave her with that simplicity, so as a punishment he punched her right in the face, sending her on the ground.

He's having some resentments for Ellie recently. Everyone can see that. He even tried to convince Maria to shut her out. That didn't work obviously, but Tommy took that as a personal attack. Dina thinks he is planning on getting on her the revenge he can't have from Abby. And that's fucked up.

"So…". Dina starts, moving Ellie's feet, with her own. The girl is still lying on the ground. Broken nose and a vitreous look on her face. "Are you planning in lying there all day? You might die of pneumonia".

"I'm pretending to be dead…". She murmurs, totally calm as if nothing has happened. "So he doesn't come after me again…". Dina chuckles.

"That only works with bears…".

"Well… then I'm fucked". Is the simple answer and the lack of enthusiasm makes her laugh.

"Come on champion…". She says, getting the girl on her feet. "Let's get you patched up". Dina escorts her down the street inside her home. Ellie seems confused and nervous and Dina doesn't know if it's for a possible concussion or because Ellie feels out of place in her house. "Take a seat, while I find the stuff I need". Ellie nods and sets on an old armchair near the window. She looks outside. Dina goes for the bathroom. "So… you resigned to be Tommy's punchball now".

"It's not like that…". Is Ellie's faint answer. Dina gets the first aid kit and goes back to her. As Ellie sees her, she smiles sadly. "He is starting to cope with his problem". She says, but Dina is not sure about that. "He's healing…".

"How do you know that?". Is Dina's sceptical question and Ellie shrugs.

"I have been there".

"Oh… so either he forgives you or he tries to kill you, is it?". Ellie grimaces.

"Yeah…". Dina scoffs.

"Then you are sleeping here, 'til he gets over it… I don't want him to kill you while you sleep. You always leave the door open". Ellie chuckles. That's new… "You find that funny". Ellie nods. "Care to explain?".

"No…". Ellie answers and Dina isn't happy about it. She starts cleaning the blood under Ellie's nose in silence. Ellie looks at her, but doesn't say anything.

"You lost Joel's watch, I see…". Dina points at her wrist. Only their bracelet, Dina gave her over dinner the other night, is left.

"No… I left it at home with the guitar". Is her answer and Dina looks at her confused.

"That is not our home anymore, we… may never go back there. You know that?". Ellie nods.

"I left it behind, Dina. I don't need it".

"Why not?". Dina asks. "It was your last memento of Joel… do you really want to… forget about it?".

"It was more than that…". Starts Ellie quietly pulling at the hem of her fingers. "It's a long story. I don't want to talk about it".

"I want to hear it though". Insists Dina and after a second of hesitation, Ellie nods.

"That watch… it was the only thing left of Joel's daughter". Dina looks at Ellie as if she doesn't believe her ears. "I knew you didn't know… he never talked about it…". She explains.

"What does this have to do with everything?". Ellie swallows slowly.

"I always thought…". Ellie stops for a second, trying not to get emotional. "I always thought I was part of his family, you know? I mean, he was not my father, clearly… but he… he acted like one. He even kept a picture of me, beside one of his daughter's on one of his drawers". Ellie is lost in her retelling. One Dina has never heard of. "Joel was the closest thing I had of a family. And he loved his daughter, and she… must have loved him too. I… promised on that watch that I would avenge him. Not just for me… but for her too, since she couldn't do it herself…". At this point Ellie cracks in tears and Dina's heart breaks a little knowing where this is going. "And now I couldn't avenge him I feel like I don't deserve it anymore. I couldn't carry it around because it was so heavy… I just want to forget about everything and go on". Dina extends her harm's to hug her and Ellie doesn't fight it.

Dina wants to tell her that she is to harsh on herself, but it would serve nothing. Ellie is indeed learning on her own. She has started talking about this stuff with her, while she didn't before. She has started crying about it and she is evolving from an auto-distructive explosive scarred girl to a less auto-distructive, traumatized but caring and mature adult. Dina knows that there's a long way to go, but this is a good start.

Someone knocks on the door and Ellie pushes away gently.

"Don't move". Commands Dina. "I'll be right back". She goes for the door and when she opens it, JJ and her grandma are there.

"Dina, sweetheart". Starts the woman, getting inside holding the baby by hand. Ellie snaps, turning to look outside the window. "Oh, I see you have hosts. Hi Ellie".

"Hello, madam". Is Ellie's polite answer. JJ and Ellie lock eyes for a second then the girl gets up as if she's been electrocuted. "I was about to go. Good evening". She intercepts and exits the house, head down without a word.

"Is she okay?". Asks the woman perplexed and Dina asks for a second, before running after Ellie outside.

"Ellie…". She calls and Ellie turns and stops about immediately. "There was no need to run away like that".

"I really have to go…". Is the banal excuse she choose. Dina doesn't believe it.

"No, you don't. Stay over for dinner tonight… my invitation to stay the night is still up". Ellie says no with her head. "I talked about you to JJ he…".

"Can't remember about me. He's two".

"But he recognizes you… I've been showing him pictures of you all along, so he does know who you are…".

"That's very nice of you…". Murmurs Ellie. "But I don't think I am ready yet… what if I fuck up?". Dina laughs.

"I have been observing you. I think you're gonna do fine". She reassures her. "Don't be scared. Come on… I trust you".

"You have… only been nice to me, Dina". Ellie says pondering each of her words. "Giving me the possibility to avenge him back. To avenge you back. But this is not how I want to do it. I don't want to rush it". Dina stills for a second then sighs exasperated.

"How exactly did you plan on doing it then?". Ellie lowers her gaze and bites her lips, pulling at her fingers how she always do when she's nervous.

"Can I come over tomorrow afternoon… to play with him? And if he likes me then I might stay for dinner". Dina has no words for this.

"If you want to make your life complicated, then do… I know better that to pry in your stubbornness. Tomorrow at 4. Don't come late". Ellie nods and smirks, before taking her hands and kissing them. Ellie's happy when she jumps away down the street. Dina looks at her smiling. She's really coming around.

Dina goes back home where Jesse's mother is waiting for her with JJ in her arms.

"What's up with that girl?". Asks the woman and Dina shrugs.

"She's… trying to amend". The woman didn't seem entirely convinced.

"Right… if I know that girl, she'll need help". Dina laughs.

"I am working on it".