As Ellie slams into him with a fierce hug, Joel does the same, one arm grabbing her around the shoulders in a tight embrace and his other hand clutching her head protectively against his chest. Thank god, thank fucking god, he's thinking as he holds her tight with his chin against the top of her head. She's alive. She's safe. Jesus, this god damn kid.

Letting her go, he grips her arms and unwinds them from around him. Keeping firm grip of her arms, he takes to studying her face, looking her over, wanting to reassure himself that she's okay.

"You an' me both. Been lookin' all over for you." Understatement of the fucking century. "You alright? Those assholes hurt you?"