( 24. night watch)

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"FOUR BOXES of ammunition, three crates of medical supplies..." Ellie counted out loud, marking each item in their inventory log. The afternoon sun beat down on their makeshift storage area, where they'd been cataloguing supplies for the past hour.

"And exactly one bar of chocolate," Brenda announced, holding up her find triumphantly.

Frypan's head snapped up. "Where did you—"

"Don't even think about it," Brenda warned, tucking it away. "This is for emergencies."

"Since when is chocolate an emergency supply?" Thomas asked, amused.

"Trust me," Ellie and Brenda said in unison, then laughed.

Their laughter was cut short by the distant sound of rotor blades. Everyone froze.

"WICKED," Newt hissed. "Get under cover!"

They scrambled to hide their supplies and themselves as the helicopter approached. Ellie found herself pressed between Thomas and a stack of crates, holding her breath as the searchlight swept past their position. His arm was wrapped protectively around her waist, and despite the danger, she couldn't help but be acutely aware of how close they were.

After what felt like hours but was probably only minutes, the sound faded away.

"That's the third sweep this week," Harriet said grimly as they emerged. "They're getting closer."

Before anyone could respond, a shout came from the medical tent. "We need help over here!"

Ellie was already moving. Inside, she found Jorge supporting one of their newer survivors, David, who was clutching his side in pain.

"What happened?" she demanded, switching into medical mode.

"Idiot tried climbing the wall we're building," Jorge explained. "Slipped and caught himself on some metal."

"Let me see." Ellie carefully examined the wound. "It's deep. Brenda, I need the suture kit and antibiotics."

As she worked, she was aware of Thomas hovering nearby, passing her supplies as needed. Their fingers brushed with each exchange, sending little jolts through her that she tried to ignore.

"You're good at this," David commented through gritted teeth as she stitched him up.

"Yeah well I used to be a nurse," Ellie replied automatically, then froze. The memory had surfaced without warning – something from before the maze.

Thomas's hand settled on her shoulder, steadying her. She took a breath and continued working.

୨ৎ

As Night fell, Ellie sat perched on their lookout platform, legs dangling over the edge as she scanned the horizon. The memory from earlier – of being a nurse – kept playing in her mind.

"Hot chocolate?" Brenda's voice came from behind her. "Well, what passes for it these days anyway."

Ellie accepted the steaming cup with a grateful smile. "Thanks. Newt's still out checking the perimeter?"

"Yeah, with Thomas." Brenda settled beside her. "You okay? You seemed shaken earlier, when you remembered something."

"Just... fragments. Sometimes they surface without warning." She took a sip of the hot chocolate. "Being a nurse, helping people... it feels right, you know?"

"You're still that person," Brenda said firmly. "I see it every day."

Before Ellie could respond, shouting erupted from the north side of camp. They were on their feet instantly, weapons ready.

"Cranks!" someone yelled. "At least six of them!"

Infected people, drawn by the camp's lights and noise. Ellie and Brenda shared a look before rushing to help.

Ellie could make out Thomas and Newt trying to hold back two particularly aggressive Cranks while others worked to secure the perimeter.

One of the infected broke through, charging straight at her. Ellie dropped and rolled, coming up with her knife ready. The training from earlier paid off as she dispatched the threat efficiently.

When it was over, they regrouped to check for injuries.

"Everyone okay?" Thomas called out, eyes finding Ellie immediately.

She nodded, catching her breath. "All good. Though I think we should move the night watch platform. We're too exposed here."

୨ৎ

Ellie could feel the lingering adrenaline in her system, making her hyperaware of Thomas beside her, of every place their shoulders touched as they sat watching the darkness.

"You scared me earlier," Thomas said quietly, breaking the silence.

"During the attack?" Ellie turned to look at him. "I can handle myself, you know."

"I know you can." He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture she'd come to recognize. "That's not... that's not what I meant. When you remembered being a nurse, you got this look on your face. Like you were somewhere else entirely. Somewhere I couldn't reach you."

"Oh." Ellie pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them.

It was silent between them for a bit, nothing but the sound of the wind blowing through the sand.

Thomas hesitated, then seemed to steel himself. "I need to tell you something. I kissed Brenda."

The words hung in the air between them. Ellie felt her heart skip, then squeeze painfully in her chest.

"Okay," she said carefully, trying to keep her voice neutral. "Why are you telling me this?"

Thomas turned to face her fully, frustration evident in his features. "Because... because I thought... with everything between us..."

"Is there something between us?"

"Isn't there?" There was an edge to his voice now, hurt and anger mixing together. "Or have you been playing me this whole time?"

That sparked something in Ellie. She stood up abruptly, anger flashing in her eyes. "Playing you? Are you serious, you slinthead? Why would I do that?"

"I don't know!" Thomas stood too, his own frustration boiling over. "Maybe because one minute you're by my side, refusing to leave, holding my hand, looking at me like... like I'm something worth holding onto. Then the next minute you're pulling away, avoiding me, acting like none of it meant anything!"

"Because I'm scared, you idiot!" The words tore from her throat, raw and honest.

Thomas stopped short, his anger deflating. "Scared of what?"

"Of this! Of you! Of..." Ellie gestured helplessly between them, feeling tears prick at her eyes. "The last person I cared about this much was Chuck, and look how that turned out. And now Minho's gone too and I can't—" Her voice broke. "I can't lose you too. I won't survive it."

"Ellie..." Thomas stepped closer, his expression softening.

"Everyone I love either dies or gets taken away," she whispered, the fight draining out of her. "My parents, Chuck, Mary, Minho... I keep losing people, Thomas. And the way I feel about you..." She swallowed hard. "It terrifies me."

Thomas reached out, gently cupping her face in his hands. "You won't lose me," he said firmly. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

"You can't promise that," she argued weakly, even as she leaned into his touch.

"No, I can't," he admitted. "But I can promise that what I feel for you... it's real. More real than anything else in this mess. I care about you, Ellie. More than I probably should, considering everything that's happening."

A small laugh escaped her, watery but genuine. "You're such a slinthead," she whispered, but there was no bite to her words.

"Yeah," he agreed with a soft smile. "I am."

Thomas leaned in slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted to. Instead, Ellie met him halfway, her hands fisting in his shirt as their lips finally met.

The kiss was gentle at first, tentative, like they were both afraid the other might shatter. Then Ellie pulled him closer, and something broke loose between them. Thomas's hands slid into her hair as the kiss deepened, months of unspoken feelings pouring out in this one moment.

When they finally broke apart, they were both breathless. Ellie kept her eyes closed, forehead resting against his, unwilling to move away just yet.

"For the record," she murmured, "I care about you too. Even if you are completely infuriating sometimes."

Thomas laughed softly, the sound rumbling through his chest where she could feel it against her hands. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the gesture achingly tender. "Good that."

"Good that," she agreed, smiling despite herself.

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