FIFTH SHOT

[dog_eat_dog]

[She and Joel have been at each others' throats all day, but things have settled down in the evening –– not because things are resolved, but just because one needs to take a break to maintain one's sanity.

After a nausea-inducing round of vodka and cake, Tess' new poison of choice is a hot shower.

Tess steps out of the bathroom in a cloud of steam, hair clipped up to keep it off her shoulders, clad in a loose tank top and pajama pants. Her wound is freshly poked at but healing, the striations of her musculature disappearing under tissue regrowth. She still feels like some sort of freak science experiment and she still steps away when anyone comes too close, but she's alive, and she's lucky to have even that. If the Infection really is gone, then it's nothing short of a miracle.

If only everything else about Paradisa could be that great.

To cross the living room to her bedroom, she needs to pass by Joel, and passing by Joel is risking another argument. Tess, however, is not going to do any sneaking around: that just isn't her style, especially not with Joel, and if he wants another round, so be it.

So when she walks out, she gives him that look. The got anything new to say? look.]

Learn anything else new about this place that you care to share?

Comments

[focusrighthere]

[No simple answer to that question. He's not entirely sure what the complete answer is, because while caring about Ellie is huge there's a part of him that knows he didn't want to give her up for himself and himself alone. Joel stalls by refilling his glass and hers.]

It didn't matter as much as her.

[For a bunch of different reasons. He thinks that answer might bother Tess, the words mumbled under his breath for it.]

[dog_eat_dog]

[She watches him pour another set out in silence. They're both going to be wrecked tomorrow, especially at this pace.]

Once a dad, always a dad, huh?

[focusrighthere]

[Wrecked is sounding good right about now. Taking her down with him is maybe not the most noble way to go about it, though. Joel passes a hand over his face and takes a big breath.]

After you left, there was no going back. [He picks at the couch's arm, reminded of the confrontation he had with Ellie at the ranch house.] It was just Ellie. And you know me, I don't fight for the Fireflies.

[dog_eat_dog]

I know you don't.

[She shifts in her seat, slightly, holding her drink right under her nose but not drinking again. Not yet, anyway. She sighs and then lets him go with it.]

Well, you fight for what you've got.