'Ello!!

So I got this idea after school, waiting for my friend to finish with rehearsal. I had just been playing Left 4 Dead 2 as Ellis and I just kept on getting jumped by every single hunter we came across.

So I randomly came up with this idea while listening to the other actors singing along to Peter Pan (our current musical). I am so mean to my favorite characters.

Warning: This has not been edited by anyone other than me. I'm kind of new to the writing thing so please go easy on me. Also some characters may seem a little OOC. Bear with it please.

Disclaimer: No I don't own Left 4 Dead 2…damnit.

Watching Over You

The attack happened just before they reached the safe house.

They'd been scrambling to get to the room and all their attention had been so focused on it that they hadn't listened as carefully for what was around them.

The hunter had been lurking from the third floor of the building adjacent to the safe room one. It leapt through the air and tackled Ellis to the ground, sending them both rolling a few feet away from the safe room and the others.

Rochelle gasped and yelled, "Hunter!!" before trying to blow the thing off of Ellis, but this hunter was smarter than the rest and backed up away from the line of fire, but not before grabbing Ellis' ankle and dragging him with it. Ellis screamed as the new scrapes and gouges he'd acquired were torn open further from the rough treatment. Nick ran after them, shooting round after round, trying to keep the hunter from getting to a place where it could jump.

Coach and Rochelle ran into the safe room, grabbing more weapons and reloading before rushing back out, a first aid kit in each of their hands. They followed the sound of shooting and screams around the building until they spotted the hunter trying to leap away with Ellis who looked as if he'd passed out if his closed eyes and limp form were anything to go by. Nick suddenly charged forward and slammed the butt of his gun into the hunter's head, loosening its grip enough for Rochelle and Coach to run forward and drag Ellis away.

Once Ellis was clear of his shot, Nick let loose a barrage of bullets, penetrating the hunter in a spray of artillery. Nick watched the hunter twitch for a little while longer; making sure it was down before backing up and jogging hastily over to the safe room where Coach and Rochelle had carried Ellis.

When he got inside he closed the door and bolted it shut, setting down his guns to push a desk in front of it for extra protection.

Once he'd secured the door, he slumped against the desk trying to catch his breath from the strain of moving something so heavy.

After a minute or two he finally turned to where Coach and Rochelle were working on Ellis. They'd knocked all the guns off the counter and laid Ellis across it, working urgently to disinfect and bandage his wounds.

Nick watched on for a moment before making his way over to them. When he got near enough he paused and just stared at the usually cheerful and energetic southerner. His legs were splayed sloppily across the counter and his hands were resting on his chest, clenching twitching sporadically. His skin had a thick layer of sweat and his breath was coming in short gasps of pain.

Rochelle finished up with the wound she was dealing with before turning to Coach. "Do you think he's gonna make it?"

Coach pulled away from the ankle he'd been working on and frowned, shaking his head sadly. "I don't think he'll last much longer."

Nick, who'd been listening to them intently, gasped and fixed his eyes on Coach. "Are you serious?"

Coach looked at him and nodded grimly. "The kid ain't gonna last more than ten minutes I'd wager. We just don't have enough supplies and he's too far gone to save now."

Rochelle choked on a sob. She's gotten so attached to the boy, who made her laugh and smile when it seemed like she'd never smile again. He'd become the little brother she'd always wanted and then some. She couldn't handle the rush of emotions she was feeling and went over to the corner of the room, sitting down and crying softly.

Coach looked on for moment, a mournful expression on his face, before walking over to Rochelle and sitting next to her. He pulled her into a hug and let her cry on his shoulder. He hated to think about it and admitting it out loud just now was hard enough, but Ellis wasn't going to last much longer and the thought of the hyperactive mechanic not being around to crack a joke or tell one of his stories made his stomach turn. He had to keep it together though and be strong for the other two. He reined in his sadness and focused on comforting Rochelle.

Nick, who still stood by Ellis' shivering form, gazed down at him miserably. It was wrong to see Ellis, the optimistic and over energetic bundle of southern charm, lying on a counter top, slowly dying from his injuries. He was supposed to be invincible, not falling apart.

Nick shuddered and shut his eyes, trying to halt the tears that now dampened them from falling. He was tougher than that.

Just as he was about to turn away, he felt a weak tug on his suit arm. His eyes snapped open and he stared into Ellis' now open eyes. It was obvious he was struggling to keep them open. Nick watched as Ellis moved his mouth slowly as if he was talking but nothing was coming out. He leaned forward until he was less than a foot away from Ellis' face. "What is it Overalls?" he asked shakily, attempting to remain nonchalant.

Ellis breathed in slowly a moment before asking, "S'ever'one mk?"

Nick almost broke down at Ellis' concern for their well being even though he was the one dying. Instead he nodded his head and whispered back, "Yeah. Yeah we're all okay." Ellis weakly nodded and sucked in a sharp breath before continuing. "'Ow's it lookin'?" Nick shuddered and reached out to grip Ellis' left hand. "It's not lookin' to good kid." Ellis blinked sluggishly.

"Oh," was all he mumbled before coughing heavily, the noise attracting Coach and Rochelle's attention and drawing them back over.

Rochelle walked around the counter to be on the other side of Ellis and grasped his other hand in hers. "Hey baby. How ya doin'?" Ellis coughed weakly and replied, "M' fine Ro. Jus' fi…" he was cut off by another coughing fit, struggling to breathe as a stream of blood and spittle poured out of his mouth, inching their way down the sides of his face.

Nick cringed and ignored the sob Rochelle let loose. He tightened his grip on Ellis' hand. "You're gonna be okay Ellis. You're gonna be okay." Ellis turned his eyes towards Nick and smiled feebly. "S' tha firs' time you've said mah name."

Nick's eyes moistened with tears again and he couldn't stop a few stray ones from falling this time. He returned Ellis' smile with his own sad one and leaned forward until he was resting his forehead against Ellis'. Ellis' eyes closed and his smile widened. "Nick, ya gonna be okay."

Nick pulled back, another tear sliding down his face. "How do you know that huh? How?"

Ellis just continued smiling. "'Cause 'm be watching over ya'll."

Nick's eyes widened and Rochelle's cries increased in volume. Coach sniffed sadly, and hugged Rochelle to him, trying to ease the pain a little.

Ellis breathing slowed down, and his eyes fluttered open one last time. "Love you guys," was the last thing he said before his breathing slowed to a halt and his eyes listlessly closed.

Nicks breathe caught, his mind refusing to comprehend the face that Ellis was really gone, but the cold hard truth was lying quietly and motionlessly right in front of him.

Coach steered Rochelle away from Ellis and sat her against a wall. He walked back over and clapped Nick on the shoulder. "Nick," he started, trying to think of what to say. "Nick we can't stay here. We gotta go soon."

Nicks shoulders slumped and the hand that was still holding Ellis' limp one let go. "Yeah, I know," he mumbled blankly.

Coach hesitated but nodded, returning to Rochelle and coaxing to get back up. They all began packing supplies and reloading every weapon they could carry. The room was silent, save for the muffled coughs and cries of the infected outside.

Once they'd gathered everything they needed, they headed over to the safe rooms exit. They cast wary glances at each other before they all nodded and Coach wrenched the door open.

The first out were Coach and Rochelle. Nick was about to follow before he abruptly stopped and turned to look back at the prone form of his fallen friend.

A lone tear fell down his face once more. "Goodbye Ellis," he whispered before reaching for the hatch and closing the door behind him.

Please read and review! No flames please. Just let me know what you think. I'll update soon.