A/N: This chapter goes out to everyone who keeps coming back to read it, as well as though who review!

Elite-Nachos - Ellis is adorable, I am just trying to do him justice! Lol
MukaMuka - I feel like the end of my chapters are always rushed, haha, so I'm glad you like them!
Desuchini - Thank you! And I wish I had a DSi :/ And I like to make Nick a bit of a hipster cause I just see him in a different light.
Claire Valintine - I tried to make it as long as I could because there it was pretty much just a filler chapter -facepalm-

Reviews are inspiration and love, so if you want to see this continue I would love to hear what you think, I keep losing focus! This chapter is mainly Ellis centered, because that's where the exciting stuff happens!

As Ellis stepped into the elevator he calmed himself, the unexpected, but not unwanted, hug from Nick had made him freak out a little bit, he took off his beanie and ran his fingers through his hair. He breathed deeply, in and out, trying to calm his nerves. 'In through the nose, out through the mouth.' He repeated to himself.

The doors opened and he stepped through the lobby they had previously entered through to get the keys. The door man smiled at him. "Hello, young man."

"Hi there." Ellis said back with his southern drawl seeming out of place. "Are there any stores around here that sell custom jewelry?" He asked already planning a surprise.

"Well yes, there are. Do you want a map?" The man asked pulling one off of the stand next to him. Ellis nodded and pulled out a pen from his pocket. "Okay you want to walk south from here for 3 blocks and make a left. It'll be on your right in 2 more blocks, it's called Faleria Jewels." He explained as he drew lines on the map for Ellis.

"Thank ya, sir." He said as he took the map from the man. He started his walk down the sidewalks enjoying the faces in the crowd as he strode by. There were so many people here, much more than in Georgia, it was exciting and nerve-racking at the same time.

He walked through the mass amounts of people apologizing when people bumped into him only to be met with a grunt, a warning, 'watch where you're going' shouted at him, or a string of curses. He had never realized that people differed in their manners based on the place they grew up, because, from the moment he was born to the moment the the infection hit, he had never left his hometown.

He eventually reached the jeweler and walked inside to be met with a smiling woman. "How can I help you, sir?" She asked with a false smile on her face. He could tell she was doing this job, not out of pleasure, but out of need.

"I was wonderin' what kinda jewelery you could customize? I needa get 2 matchin' necklaces." He said as he fidgeted.

"What kind of necklace are you looking for? We carry a variety of items, so if you can explain it to me I can narrow down the selection for you." She asked as she led him towards a glass counter which housed many different types of pendants, earrings, diamond necklaces, and the like.

"Well, ya see, I never really bought anything fancy like this before. I'm not from 'round here, if ya haven't noticed." He said with a small laugh. "But I guess just somethin' simple, maybe silver, with a name engraved on it?"

"Alright, I'll show you some of our more simple pieces." She then led her over to a smaller glass counter. Immediately he spotted the perfect piece, a simple silver rectangular pendant, not screaming anything, rather suggesting an appreciation, and he found what he was looking for.

"That one over there," He said pointing to the piece, "That's perrrrfect."

She took it out of the case and held it up to him, "You said you needed 2 right?" He nodded, "What a lucky lady she is. What would you like engraved on it." He looked away a little embarrased and mumbled 'Nick.' "I'm sorry I couldn't hear you."

"I said... 'Nick.'" He looked at her embarrased. She then gave him a big smile, a real smile.

"Don't be embarrased honey, there's nothing to be ashamed about." He looked up to her and smiled back. "I just thought you were one of those guys who comes in here, all high and mighty, wanting to buy something to woo a girl into liking them." She then leaned closer to Ellis and whispered to him. "The men who do that are scum." She gave him a wink.

Ellis gave a small laugh. "I know what you mean." He said.

"So you and this Nick character, are you two together?" She asked while getting out forms for order and customization.

Ellis looked down and twiddled his thumbs, "No... but I'm sure hopin' we will be." He picked up the pen and started to fill out the form.

"How did you meet?" She asked, Ellis looked at her hesitantly. "I'm sorry if I'm being so invasive, I just want to know why you would be purchasing custom jewelery, for someone who you're not even with."

"Well... in the truth of it all, we met at the start of the infection..." He started his story. And over the next hour, everything was told to a complete stranger, someone who Ellis didn't know, wouldn't have met if it hadn't been for Nick. And she listened, to every word, hung on to them as Ellis paused to collect his thoughts, and felt the emotions as Ellis retold his story.

"...and now I'm here because... well, 'cause I want to tell him how I feel." He said coming to the conclusion of his tale. The woman looked at him and wiped away the tears that remained in her eyes, and grabbed Ellis hand.

"I can't begin to tell you how... inspired I am by you and your hectic 'adventures.'" She looked around the store. "I'll do your order for you for free if you do something for me."

"What? I can't do that! I hafta pay ya!" Ellis said shocked.

"No, it'll be on me, just send me a picture of his face when you tell him. From what I can tell from your story, if he can put up with you for 2 whole years and stuck with you through all that keeping you alive on his own food and medical equipment, the feeling is mutual, honey." She said to him as he finished filling out the form.

"I hope that's true, damn, I hope it's true." He said, "Thank you for everything. I'll be back when you give me a ring." He said before and turned to leave the store. As he reached the door he turned back around, "I don't even know your name, miss."

She laughed and said, "It's Nicole, you go and enjoy your night now, Ellis." She said picking up the forms.

"I will, I'll see you soon." He gave her a wave and left the store.

As he was on his way back he looked behind him to see two people walking staring at his feet. He brushed it off and continued walking, that was, until, he was pushed into an alley.

One of the men pulled out a knife and the other grabbed his shirt. "You better give me your wallet, and give it to me now!" Screamed the attacker.

"I don't have any money on me, man, let go!" Ellis yelled, trying to get the attention of the passing people, but to no avail. He was met with a swift punch to the mouth, and a knee to the gut. Ellis fell to the ground trying to catch his breath.

"Looks like we're gonna do this the hard way huh?" Said the one holding the knife. He gave Ellis a swift kick to the stomach and then a punch in the head.

As Ellis began to lose consciousness he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen and a scream from somewhere off. He heard the rush of feet and a clink as he saw the knife drop to the floor, covered in blood. He felt soft hands on his face and a familiar voice in his ear, but he couldn't hear the words being spoken. The world fell into darkness, all he could hear were sirens, and then nothing.

Nick heard his phone ring and picked it up. "Hey, Ro, when are you getting here?"

"Nick! You have to get to the hospital!" The frantic woman yelled into the phone.

"What happene-" Nick stopped mid sentence and felt his heart drop. "Ellis... is he okay?" He began to collect his car keys and jacket.

"Oh god, nick. He lost alot of blood and he's unconscious. I rode in the ambulance with him to get here, he's not in good condition Nick. It's bad." She said trying her best to keep her voice under control and keep her sobbing to a minimum. "Get here as soon as you can." She told him the address and he knew where it was.

"I'll be there in 10. Just hold on tight." He said ending the call and running out the door.

He ran down the stairs of the building thinking it faster than the elevator with the one person who he cared for more than anybody on his mind, and the most unpleasant feeling he had ever felt in his stomach.

'I'm coming kid, and I'm not losing you now!'

A/N: okay.. I am incredibly sorry for the wait! I just started school and the summer was so hectic with packing and preparing and everything. I just hope you can forgive me! Please? Reviews are appreciated!