Always & Forever (A 'The Last Of Us' Fanfic)

Chapter 10

Don started to worry about his daughter. Neither she nor Joel had come back. What if they had started arguing and it escalated to something intense? He quickly shook that thought from his mind. He knew Joel well enough to know that he would never ever hurt her. Physically at least. He decided to go and see what was keeping them. That and he wanted to be certain that Beth was okay. He got to the door that led to the back of the building and pushed it open.

"Bethy?" he said as he turned to his right.

He then turned to his left and saw the two of them uncomfortably close to the other.

"Beth, what's going on here?" he said a little louder.

Both Joel and Beth parted instantly at the sound of his voice.

"Dad. What's the problem?" she asked looking embarrassed.

This seemed to embarrass her more than her dad telling every single person at this news station how she was to spend her summer.

"Is everything okay?" Don asked eyeing Joel.

Joel did not make eye contact with him.

"Yes, dad. Everything is just fine. Now did you need me for something?" she asked a little irritated.

"You two were out here a long time. I wasn't sure if an argument had ensued or not," he said still eyeing Joel.

Beth looked up at him.

"Well, we sort of...sorted everything out, dad," she said.

"Yeah. I can see that. Well, we can always go look for stuff for New York tomorrow. Seems the two of you need today to work...whatever this thing is out," Don said.

"Oh no, sir. If the two of you had plans, I would not want to impose," Joel spoke up, looking at Don for the first time since he walked out.

He then quickly looked away again.

"I appreciate that, son. But I know my daughter. And right now, she is giving me a look that tells me everything that I need to know," Don said moving his attention to Beth.

She quickly made it seem that she was looking at something else. She was definitely telling him that she wanted to spend the day with Joel.

"Dad..." she started, suddenly feeling guilty.

Don held his hand up to stop her.

"It's okay, honey. Really. I'll just go back inside and give the weather like I was supposed to," he said making his way toward her.

He opened his arms and she went up and wrapped her arms around him.

"Thanks, dad. And I promise, tomorrow, we'll spend the whole day together," she said kissing his cheek then moving back to face him.

"I'm holding you to that promise," he said.

"And I'll be keeping it," she said.

Don went up and kissed her on the forehead.

"I'll see you at home. And, Joel," he said looking over at Joel.

"Yes, sir?" Joel asked.

"Take care of my little girl," he said.

"I swear," Joel said.

"That's a good boy," Don said patting Joel's shoulder.

He turned and disappeared into the building. Joel and Beth stood in silence for a few minutes.

"Tommy. I forgot I brought him. I guess I should go and see where he went off to," Joel said.

He grabbed Beth's hand and went back inside.