#I have Will & Nancy's POVs mostly done which leaves Mike & Jonathan

[jonathanbyersphd]

Wedding AU chapter 1 summary

Will: Oh no he's hot Nancy: *freaking out about the circus her wedding has become* Jonathan: What if, and hear me out, we get the boys back together Mike: Oh no he's hot.

[gloomyhearts]

That's life || Steve Harrington

Chapter six

November 8, 1983

Y/N's POV:

"Y/N" I was about to answer a question in my lesson as Hopper stepped into the doorframe.

"Miss Henderson could you come with me?" I nodded and followed him into a small and quiet room.

"Okay do you know anything about Barbara Holland?" He leaned against the door.

"No why?"

"Were you on Steve Harringtons party yesterday"

"Yeah I was but only one hour because Dustin was alone at home. I drove with my own car"

His elbows rested on his knees and he bend further to me, "so you want to tell me what's happened?"

"I arrived at Steve's house *how long has it been since I was here the last time* and Steve opened the door and let me in. We walked through the house to the backyard where everyone except Barb sat. Tommy and his girlfriend looked at me a bit irritated but I didn't cared that much.

After a while Steve came back with canned beer and gave everyone a cane but I passed but Barb took one I knew she would drive Nancy back home but Nancy kind of drilled her to drink it. Barb tried to opened the bottle like every other with a knife but it hadn't succeeded and she had cut herself. I went with her to the bathroom after we were finished I went back home and Barb stayed there." I buried my face in my hands, "I didn't even know she's missed. What happened?"

"Y/N we'll find her I promise" Hopper is kind of a good friend to my mother but it isn't like Joyce and his "relationship".

Sometimes all the families meet and Hopper is there too; he always looks like he wants to kill everyone but he's the nicest person on this earth.

"What has Nancy told you?"

"I haven't spoken to her yet."

"Talk to her yourself. And support her, please" I nodded and walked out of the room just to see Nancy walking around the floor.

"Nanc?"

"Y/N. Barb. I know what happened."

"Are you alright?" I asked her.

"Yeah mostly."

"Tell me what happened, please."

"After you went home Steve took me to his bedroom and Barb waited for me to finish "it". She sat at the pool and when I went to the backyard she wasn't there anymore. It's my fault." I embraced her; all her tears are falling on to my shoulder.

"We'll find her" I let go of her and wiped  her tears away.

"I think whoever took Barb wasn't a human. It was nobody who lives here." She whispered.

"What?"

"Yeah maybe a bear or something else but not a human trust me."

"You're serious?" She nodded.

"I heard clicks like a camera but Steve said I should brush it off. It was only in my head. I went back there Y/N and there was something it was big and it scared me."

"Okay Nancy I believe you but was someone else there? To support your sentence" she just shakes her head.

Hopper came out of the room and looked over to Nancy and me

"You're ready Nancy?" She walked over to him and turned to me when I gave her a small smile.

When I walked to my car which was in the near of Steve's. I heard how Steve and his friends threatened Jonathan. It looked like a picture what was torned into pieces. Steve has thrown those pieces onto the floor next to Jonathan camera. He did not; he's such an asshole. I opened my door and get in.

A few seconds later Jonathan sat next to me with tears forming in his eyes.

"Everything's good?"

"No Y/N. Steve is such an asshole how can he think that he's the king? He's just threading everybody like shit. How can Nancy be with him? She deserves so much better"

"I know Jonathan. But you know how Steve was in elementary school. And to be honest I have the feeling that Steve and Nancy aren't really in love."

"Really?" I nodded and started the car.

"But it doesn't bother me anymore they're allowed to do anything they want and if they want to pretending a relationship so they do."

Ten minutes after leaving the parking lot I was at Jonathan's house.

"Thank you Y/N. See you around." We all know that won't happen.

"Yeah. See you" I drove to my home when I was greeted by a nervous Dustin.

"Hey Dusti. What happened?"

"What? What happened?"

"Why are you acting so weird "

"Mm nothing. Really nothing."

"Dustin. You promised something."

"Okay so. Mike Lucas and me went searching for Will but we found a girl. Eleven. She said she would know where Will is."

"You did what?! You can be happy that mom or dad aren't here. You would get so much trouble."

"Yeah I know and I'm really sorry but this girl. She has powers" what?

"Yeah trust me. She has telecinese powers like"

"Yeah I understood but where did you guys found her?"

Dustin rubs his neck, "the forest"

"Next to Wills house?"

"Yeah"

"Where is she now?"

"At Mikes"

"you meet them tomorrow?"

"Yeah we meet at his."

"I'm coming with you"

"Y/N no that's no Jesus we're boys"

"Yeah and Mike has a girl in his basement. I'm coming with you" Dustin frowned because of me; because I'm embarrassing.

"I don't care what you think Dustin." I smiled and walked to my room.

I did my homework and was currently cuddling with meows on my bed.

"Y/N" I got called from downstairs.

"What?" I began to walk towards the stairs.

"What Dustin?" The frint door was opened.

"Steve? What the heck?" The second time? What's he doing here?

"Y/N" he hasn't spoken my name in years.

"You're friends with Nancy right ?" I nodded. "So she's kind of mad of me. Maybe you can talk to her."

"Mm maybe."

"What?! Why what's so difficult" he shouted

"you're asking me what's difficult to talk to her?! Why aren't you standing at her door right now and talk to her? Why the fuck are you here Steve Harrington"

"I actually thought we can talk to each other again," his graze trailer down.

he what? Oh I would love to but I can't not after all what he had done to me.

In middle school school Steve did everything to impress Tommy; he even cancelled our hang out session; he threw food in my face; he had pushed me off the swing; he took my food without asking, I mean he always did but that wasn't like the other times.

"You want to talk? About what?"

"We were best friends and now you aren't even looking to me in the breaks"

"Do you know why?! Because you're with Nancy, you're best friends with Tommy our enemy. You just left me" after those words I closed the door and slide it down until I sat on the floor.

"Y/N everything's okay?" Dustin walked over to me. He found me sobbing and searching after breath on the floor.

"Yeah everything is fine Dusti. It's just that Barb went missed too" he sat next to me and embraced me.

"Why was Steve here"

"he told me everything about Barb" he just nodded. He can't know it.

"Y/N?"

"Yes?"

"I know that you love Steve." Damn.

"Since when?"

"Don't know since the beginning? And I think you two would be the best couple in the world" he hugged me even tighter.

"Oh Dustin if that would be so easy"

"I know. Life sucks."

"Don't say that we'll find Will baby Dusti" we stayed in this position a few minutes until the phone rung.

"Henderson's."

"Y/N?"

"Nanc? What's wrong?" Nancy was in the other end; sobbing.

"Steve. He's just... Steve has thrown Jonathan's camera to the ground. He know Jonathan is my best friend. And now I know that I was right with the click sound. Jonathan was there and he has a picture. It isn't a human neither a bear. It's strange..."

"sorry Nancy wait a moment" I hold the phone a few inches away from me.

"Dustin Henderson where are you going?"

"Lucas and I wanna study something"

"it's already 6pm"

"yes but this can't wait. See you"

"wait Dustin. Call me when you arrived at Lucas'" he nodded and left.

"So it was not human or animal?"

"No it was as big as a bear but it hadn't a fur. It ate a deer and then when I wasn't around it took Barb..." she began to sob more.

"Nancy. Please calm down. Talk to Jonathan clear things up. Talk to Steve tell him what an asshole he is and that it can't go on like this."

Dustin pov:

Lucas, Mike, El and I were at the quarry. There were ambulances and police cars and officers everywhere. My friends and I looked at each other until Mike began to scream at Eleven for lying that Will is still alive.

Will is death.

I grabbed my bike and drove. My feet drove me to the only person who understands this.

Y/Ns POV:

The door rang what means I have to stand up; I was halfway sleeping.

As I opened the door I was kind of surprised.

"Dustin what are you doing here. I thought you'll sleep at Lucas'?" Without answering he took me in a tight hug.

What happened?

"Dustin what happened?" By now he was crying.

"Wi.. Will" he could barely answer in between his sobs. His teary blue eyes are looking at me

"What's with him?"

"He.. he... quarry"

"they found him in the quarry?" He nodded and by now more tears are streaming down.

"Oh Dustin. I'm so sorry." I'm not the best in emotional support..

"do you wanna cuddle with me?" He nodded again and I took him piggyback into my room. I set him on my bed down and walked out of my room.

"Where are you going?" He asked frightened.

"I'm going to pee"

After a few I was back and we laid down in my bed and he quickly fell asleep.

[insideoutstory]

Inside Out → Chapter Eighteen

summary: Christine and the others rush to find the party before the Bad Men do. word count: 4.4k warnings: Feelings™, me accidentally changing POV b/c I love Hopper

[ masterlist ]   [ FF.net ]

“So this is the Demogorgon.” 

They were all squeezed into Jonathan’s car, Hopper and Mrs. Byers up front while Christine, Nancy and Jonathan sat in the back. They were mostly sitting, anyway. Christine had half her butt on the door, and Nancy’s hips were angled so she wouldn’t have to be in Jonathan’s lap. It was a tight fit, but they were trying to make it work. 

Christine was more focused on the photo in her hands. It was mostly black, looking more like a distortion than anything concrete. But Nancy had traced out the figure with her finger—arms, legs, broad torso, a head that didn’t seem to have a face. It loomed nearly seven feet tall, illuminated underneath by the eerie light of Steve’s pool. It was right at the end of the diving board, right behind where Barb had been sitting… She was relieved Barb had been cropped out of this copy. Christine wasn’t sure if she could handle seeing it right now. 

“The demo-what?” Nancy asked. 

“It’s uh…that’s what me and the boys have been calling it,” Christine said sheepishly. “I think it’s from Dungeons and Dragons.” 

“Seriously?” Jonathan snorted from the other side of the car. “You’re using a kids’ game to name a bloodthirsty monster?” 

“So what? It’s so much more elegant to keep calling it ‘that thing’? Besides, this whole thing—monsters and alternate dimensions and superpowers—kinda feels like Dungeons and Dragons to me.” 

“Do not say ‘alternate dimensions’,” Hopper instructed flatly from the drivers’ seat. “I don’t know what we’re up against, but I don’t want to hear you talking about ‘alternate dimensions’ ever again.” 

Christine raised a hand in surrender. He hadn’t taken well to her explanation of the multiverse. Government conspiracies were fine, but apparently theoretical physics was right out. 

“I still can’t believe you’ve been with my brother this whole time,” Nancy said. “That’s…so weird.” 

“Yeah, and you’ve been fighting demons,” Christine offered, handing her the picture once more. “Cause that’s not insane.” 

Nancy laughed weakly. “Yeah, well…I guess neither of our weeks went that great.” 

Christine nodded. She’d only gotten the short version on Jonathan and Nancy’s side of things. They’d glossed over the pictures, but it seemed like Nancy was overlooking the creepiness since it’d helped her figure out what happened to Barb. They’d gone looking for the Demogorgon after the funeral, running around in the same woods where Christine had been looking for Eleven. But while Christine was avoiding trouble, Nancy had run right into it—and into the Upside Down, from the sounds of it. 

Nancy’s description had been short. It was darker, but familiar. Cold and wet and slimy. She’d nearly gotten lost trying to escape the Demogorgon. That she hardly described at all. She just handed Christine the photo and let the picture do the talking. 

Jonathan had managed to pull her out, and stayed the night so Nancy would feel safer. But they hadn’t slept together. Nancy hadn’t even slept at all. So Steve had seen them comforting each other—but it had Jonathan helping Nancy, and not the other way around. 

Christine didn’t have any words of comfort. She couldn’t think of any that matched the gravity of the whole thing. They’d each been alone, thinking the other one didn’t care, thinking their friend had ditched them over some boy when they were just trying not to die. She couldn’t imagine what Nancy had been through in the Upside Down. And she didn’t have any adequate way to apologize. As Hopper sped through the suburban streets, Christine slipped her hand into Nancy’s and squeezed. She had no idea when they’d get a real chance to talk. But at least they wouldn’t go through the rest of it alone. 

The car swerved to a quick stop, forcing everyone to jolt forward in their seats. 

“Tell me that’s not your house,” said Hopper darkly. 

Christine leaned around him to peer out the windshield. They’d pulled over on the side of the street, at least ten houses down from her own. She couldn’t see what the big deal was at first. But then she noticed the large white van parked next door. The side read Hawkins Power and Light. There was a man in a suit standing at the front door, talking to a confused looking Claudia. 

 “Okay,” said Christine. “That’s not my house. It’s Dustin’s. How the hell do they know about Dustin?” 

“They’re the government. They know about everyone.” 

“Well, could she still be inside?” asked Mrs. Byers. “Just because they know about the boys doesn’t mean they know about Christine.” 

“Yeah, I think they know about Christine,” said Hopper, and he nodded out the window again. 

Everyone looked out, closer this time. It was faint, but Christine could see the shadows moving inside her house, shadows that were too big to be anyone in the party. Though she knew Eleven wouldn’t be inside, her stomach clenched. This was not good. 

“Are they allowed to be in there?” asked Nancy. “Isn’t that like…breaking and entering?” 

“Not if you’re the government,” said Hopper. “All they need to say is that they had probable cause and an unlocked door.” 

“They did have an unlocked door.” 

Hopper turned around in his seat to stare at Christine. “You keep the doors unlocked?” 

“What?” she said defensively. “I wanted to make sure Eleven could get in if she came home.” 

“The girl has superpowers, and you thought a locked door was going to stop her?” 

“What does it matter? They were just gonna break my door down anyway!” 

“Jesus…” He shook his head, and looked back to the house. “Okay, if the safe house is out, where else might the kids go to hide?” 

“Well, she was living with the Wheelers for a few days.” 

“What?” gasped Nancy. 

“Yeah,” said Christine. “She was living in your basement. I think Mike took some of your clothes, by the way, so don’t be surprised if your laundry’s a little light.” 

“She’s not at the Wheelers,” Hopper interrupted. “If they know about one kid, they know about all of them.” 

“Then we have to go back,” Nancy said stoutly. “My mom, my dad—what if they hurt my little sister?” 

“We are not going back. The last thing your parents need is for these guys to find out you’re involved in this too.” 

“But what if they have Mike?” she demanded. “What if he comes back and…?” 

“If your brother came back to the house, he’d be smart enough to leave,” Hopper assured her. “If they’ve made it this long, they know the drill. Besides. The lab doesn’t have your brother.” 

“How can you know that?” 

Hopper pointed out the window over Mrs. Byers’ shoulder. The whole car creaked as everyone turned to see what he was looking at this time. Christine couldn’t quite see it between Nancy, Jonathan and the houses outside, but in the bated silence she could hear it. Somewhere outside there was a heavy mechanical whirring. It sounded like helicopter blades. 

“Seriously?” Worried as Nancy was, she still managed to sound annoyed. “For Mike?” 

“For Eleven,” Christine corrected with worry. “If they get Mike, it’ll just be a bonus.” 

“Which is why we need to find them before they do,” Hopper agreed. He twisted around in the seat to look at Christine. “I need you to think. Is there anywhere else they might have gone?” 

“Not that I know of,” Christine sighed. 

“Then think harder!” 

“Look, I told you everything I know, okay? She’s been at Mike’s house, my house, and briefly the middle school. Besides that it’s just been the woods, and they could be anywhere in there. She knows them better than anyone else would. You’d have to ask her.” 

“So why don’t we?” 

Everyone turned to look at Jonathan, who was staring a hole into the back of his mother’s seat. 

“Why don’t we what?” she asked. 

“Ask her. I don’t know where they are, but I think I know how to get in contact with them.” 

“The supercomms,” Christine realized, turning to him. “But I don’t have one. Do you?” 

“No, but…” 

“But Will does,” Mrs. Byers finished. She smacked Hopper on the arm, making him flinch. “My house. Go, Hop! We have to get back to my house!” 

Hopper grumbled as she continued to berate him into turning the car around. They couldn’t go too fast. They didn’t want to draw the attention of the several government agents who were currently dissecting Christine’s house top to bottom. But as soon as they rounded the corner and were out of sight, Hopper slammed on the gas. They went racing down the roads, whipping past Mirkwood and heading for the edge of town. 

They all jolted forward again when Hopper slammed on the brakes, skidding into the Byers’ driveway and sending gravel in every direction. Everyone piled out of the car, and Mrs. Byers led the way into the house without hesitation. 

Christine marched behind her, but quickly trailed to a stop in the living room. 

“Holy shit…” 

The Byers’ entire house had been done up for Christmas early. String lights hung like a net around the ceiling, creating a maze of wires. For some reason, all the bulbs had been removed and were rolling around the floor. Furniture had been upended and ripped open, papers covered the floor. There were several boards hap-hazardously nailed up in one corner, and over the couch someone had painted the alphabet in lopsided black letters. It looked like one bulb had been nailed over each letter, like some sort of creepy, festive keyboard. 

“Whoa…” Nancy was standing next to her, looking equally as stunned. “Uh…Jonathan said that…she was talking to Will…through the lights…” 

“Right,” said Christine. Her eyes trailed back to the alphabet. “That…makes sense…” 

They proceeded down the hall without saying anything else on the subject. 

Will’s room was at the opposite end of the house. It had also been strung up with Christmas lights, with a couple of open lamps here and there for variation. Christine felt weird about diving in and rifling through Will’s stuff. Jonathan and his mom ended up doing most of the searching, while Christine, Nancy and Hopper waited anxiously by the door. 

“I got it!” Mrs. Byers announced after a few minutes of looking. She resurfaced from under the bed, raising the walkie over her head. “Oh. How do I…?” 

Jonathan took the radio from her hand, checking the battery before powering it on and tuning the station. His finger hovered over the call button, and he paused. 

“Actually, it’s—it’s probably better if you do it.” 

He held the radio out to Christine. She nodded, and took a deep breath before she grabbed it from him. Mrs. Byers ushered her to sit on the end of the bed, and everyone gathered around to listen. 

“Hello?” Christine called into the radio. “Mike? Dustin? Lucas? This is Christine. Anyone copy?” 

Silence. 

“Hello? Anybody? This is Christine. I need you to pick up. It’s an emergency. I said do you copy?” 

Silence. 

“I know at least one of you idiots has a radio on you. I’m serious, it’s Christine. Hello, hello, hello, hello, helloooo?” 

And again, silence. 

Hopper grabbed the radio out of her hands, ignoring her noise of protest. 

“Listen, kid, this is the chief. If you’re there pick up.” 

“Chief, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Christine warned, which he also ignored. 

“We know you’re in trouble, and we know about the girl.” 

“Great,” she huffed. “Well that’s definitely not a good idea.” 

“We can protect you, we can help you, but you gotta pick up. Are you there? Do you copy? Over!” 

Christine stood up, grabbing the walkie back from him. Seeing as he was a lot taller and stronger than she was, it was a challenge. But she managed it with a hearty glare. 

“You’re gonna scare the shit out of them,” she snapped at him. “Every authority figure she’s ever known has tortured her, and you wanna announce that you’re a cop? I made a promise not to go to the police because she was too scared. Just let me talk to them.” 

Hopper glowered at her, but did not reach for the walkie. Christine leaned back on the doorframe. She closed her eyes, and pressed the radio against her forehead. 

“Come on, guys. It’s Christine. I know you’re worried about the bad men, but I’m here with reinforcements. I’ve got Chief Hopper and Mrs. Byers and Jonathan and…hell, even Nancy. You know I wouldn’t have told anyone unless it was for a really good reason. But the bad men know who you are, so we have to find you guys if you want our help. Please…please pick up. Do you copy?” 

More silence. She was ready to give up when the radio crackled to life. 

“What are the first fifteen digits of pi?” 

Christine actually laughed with relief. 

“What?” Nancy asked, staring down at the radio. “What is it?” 

“It’s Dustin,” Christine explained. “It’s a defense thing.” 

“Defense?” Mrs. Byers repeated in confusion. “What, does—are they in trouble?” 

“No, he wants to know if I am. It’s a code we have. If you say it right, everything’s okay, but if you say it wrong it means you’re in distress.” 

“You memorized the first fifteen digits of pi?” Hopper asked, looking mildly disgusted. 

“Christine? Hello? I asked for the first fifteen digits of pi. Do you copy? Over!” 

“Yeah, I copy, Dust,” she said, turning back to the radio. “3.14159265358979.” 

“Thank God. And say over when you’re done, geez. This is basic stuff. Over.” 

“My apologies. Are you all alive? Over.” 

“Yeah, we’re okay. Had a close call, but we’re all good on the fifteen digits of pi here. Over.” 

“Great. Now where the hell are you? Over.” 

“We can’t tell you. Signal might be intercepted. Over.” 

“Fine,” Christine sighed, knowing he had a point. “Can you…describe it to me? Give me a hint? Gimme something here. Over.” 

There was silence as the boys discussed the best way to proceed. It was minute or two before she got an answer. 

“Christine, we are in Cloud City. Do you copy? Over.” 

“Cloud City?” Hopper echoed. “What is that, a place?” 

“Yeah, but not a real one,” said Christine. “It’s from Star Wars.” 

The explanation only seemed to make him more exasperated. 

“What is it with these kids and the made up places?” 

“It’s code,” Jonathan urged. “We’re supposed to figure it out. So what’s so special about Cloud City?” 

“Well it’s in the sky, for one,” Christine sighed. “It’s a gas mining colony. It was under Imperial control.” 

“You don’t think they’re in the Lab, do you?” Joyce asked. 

“No, no. That would definitely be the Death Star. But Cloud City is…” Christine chewed on her lip, and after a few more seconds, lit up with recognition. She held the radio up again, asking, “Dustin, you said Cloud City? You are in the ruins of Cloud City, is that right? Over.” 

“Christine! Just say Cloud City! It’s a damn code! Over!” 

“Whatever! Fine. Yes, I copy. Just stay where you are. We’re coming for you. Over.” 

“Okay. But be careful! And remember Ackbar’s advice! Over!” 

“Ten-four. Over and out.” 

“Where are they?” Mrs. Byers asked, as Christine put down the radio. “They’re okay?” 

��They’re fine, for now. They’re hiding in a junkyard on the edge of town.” 

“How’d you get that from Cloud City?” Nancy asked in bewilderment. 

“Traitors,” Christine explained. “We were at the junkyard yesterday after the funeral. It’s where we were when Lucas realized El was messing with the compasses so we couldn’t get to the gate. In Empire Strikes Back, it’s where Han and Leia meet up with Lando, who turns out to…” 

“We don’t have time for this,” Hopper interrupted. “You know how to get there?” 

Christine frowned, admittedly a little annoyed. “Yeah.” 

“Good. Get in the car. No, not you!” Hopper held up a hand as everyone in the room made for the door. “Blondie comes for navigation. The rest of you stay here.” 

“Hopper,” Joyce pleaded. “If the kids are…” 

“You just heard the kids are fine. This is not up for discussion. Stay here, keep your heads down, and wait.” 

He did not allow room for argument as he walked out of the room. 

Christine hesitated. After so long split up from Nancy, she suddenly didn’t want to leave her again. 

“I should go,” she said awkwardly. 

Nancy nodded. “Just be careful, okay? And…remember Ackbar’s advice. Whatever that means.” 

They smiled at each other, and Christine rushed out the door. Chief Hopper was waiting not all that patiently in the car. It was already running when she got in, and he was pulling out before she got her seatbelt on. 

“It’s a junkyard on the west end of town,” she started to explain as he drove. “We got there by following the train tracks and cutting through the forest, but I think if you went up through Randolph Way…” 

“One thing at a time,” said Hopper, shutting her down. “First thing’s first. We’re going back to the station.” 

“What? Why?” 

“So I can get my damn car. You see me driving five kids around in this piece of junk? I don’t think so.” 

“What, you’re worried we’re gonna cramp your style?” Christine glared at him. “There are government agents out hunting them down! We don’t have time to…” 

“We have time to do whatever I say we do! We are getting. The police van. Besides, it gets us more clearance and less attention. They could’ve seen this car when we went to your house.” 

“Right,” Christine said moodily. “Cause the Chief’s car is so much more inconspicuous. Especially if they know you’re onto them.” 

Hopper did not seem to appreciate her clear logic. He didn’t yell at her, but he did take the next turn hard enough to slam her into the door. She grunted, and he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. 

“Just please do me a favor, kid,” he said slowly, “and do not speak unless I ask you for directions. Please.” 

“…Christine.” 

“What?” 

“My name is Christine Walcott,” she repeated. “Not kid. And not Blondie.” 

Neither of them spoke for the rest of the drive. 

Once they got to the station, Hopper disappeared inside for a few minutes for “supplies.” Christine twitched anxiously in the car while she waited, checking the clock obsessively as more and more time slipped by. She was annoyed to find when he returned that “supplies” had meant some more bullets for his gun, a pack of cigarettes, and a cup of coffee. It was one of the reasons she didn’t object when he handed her Jonathan’s keys and went to his own car. He would follow her up to the junkyard, but she needed to stop at least a hundred yards away, just in case. 

Regardless, there was already a pattern emerging. Hopper must have sensed it too. That was why he was out of his car with a hand on Christine’s door before she could so much as turn the engine off. 

“You are staying here,” he instructed clearly. “Do you understand?” 

“But…” 

“They have guns, and you do not. I have a gun, and you do not. If things go south, I am going to tell the kids to run this way, and you will drive like hell to get them out of here. Nod if you understand.” 

Christine huffed, but nodded. 

It made her tremblingly nauseous to watch Hopper pull out his gun. He checked his bullets, clicked off the safety, and secured the brimmed hat on his head. He nodded to her once, and then disappeared up over the hill. Her eyes stayed locked on the empty grass. 

One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three Mississippi. 

She counted slowly, probably slower than real seconds lasted. Christine wasn’t sure why she was timing him. She wasn’t even sure she was. She restarted every time she go to ten, and had forgotten how many times she’d started over. More than anything, it was to make sure she kept breathing. If she held her breath as long as her worries wanted her to, the kids wouldn’t have a conscious getaway driver to help them. 

Hopper’s hat broke the surface of the horizon. He walked briskly back down the slope, caught her eye, and nodded once. Christine’s heart jumped into her throat. A moment later, the kids began to spill over the hilltop. 

Christine nearly tumbled out of the car in her rush to get to them. Dustin hit her first, breaking into a sprint and slamming his body into her arms. She rocked back and hugged him tight. He didn’t seem to care that his hat had fallen off any more than she cared that his headset was jabbing her in the ribs. She was just relieved he was okay. 

“Thank God,” she said, trying to conceal the weight of her worry. “Your mom would’ve killed me if I let you get kidnapped by the government.” 

“Don’t be stupid, Chrissy,” he replied, the words muffled by her shirt. “They wouldn’t have kidnapped us. We’d be dead.” 

“Thanks, Dust.” She laughed, and her voice broke. “That’s really comforting.” 

“Don’t worry. Eleven wouldn’t let that happen. There was this huge car chase, right? And we had four of those big vans after us! Three from the back, one from the front. And just when it looked like we were gonna be a double decker van-bike sandwich, Eleven flips the whole van over our heads! It was crazy! Aw, you shoulda been there!” 

“Yeah…Yeah, I should’ve.” 

Dustin pulled back, rubbing his face where the buttons of her work uniform had left circles in his cheek. “It’s okay. You came back.” 

Christine smiled and kissed him on top of the head. She did the same for Mike and Lucas as they came running up next. Mike wrinkled his nose and batted her away, while Lucas stammered and blushed. 

“You guys okay?” she asked. 

“Uh, y-yeah,” said Lucas, nodding frantically. “We’re cool. We’re—We’re good.” 

“Is Nancy okay?” Mike asked nervously. 

“Yeah, she’s fine. She’s waiting back at the house.” 

“Who’s house? And how does she know about this anyway?” 

“I’ll explain on the way. Where’s…?” 

“Chrissy?” 

Eleven was finally standing at the bottom of the hill. She was still wearing her tube socks, her blue jacket, her pink dress—only now they were dingy and covered with dirt. It was covered her face too, clumsily washed off but still leaving her ashen. Her wig was long gone, but the same big, brown eyes stared up at her, overflowing with relief. 

“Oh, thank God.” 

Christine pushed right past Dustin. She rushed over to Eleven and dropped down to her knees, pulling her into a fierce hug. It took Eleven a few seconds to respond. But slowly her arms came up, and she wrapped them around Christine just as tightly. Christine ran a hand over Eleven’s head, and pressed her face into her dress. One of them was shaking, but she couldn’t be sure which one. So she was extra careful to keep her eyes dry when she pulled back. 

“Are you okay?” she asked Eleven. “Are you hurt?” 

Eleven shook her head, wiping her eyes. 

“I was so worried. When you didn’t come back, I… Why did you run?” 

“I…hurt Lucas,” she said haltingly. “I’m sorry.” 

“Hey, hey, it’s okay, El,” Christine assured her. She held Eleven’s face in her hands, and ran a thumb over her cheek. “It was an accident. And if half of what Dustin says is true, it sounds like you’ve more than made up for it. I’m…I’m glad you’re back.” 

She smiled, and Eleven mirrored the action. “Me too.” 

Hopper cleared his throat behind them, looking awkward. 

“Not to break up the reunion speeches, but I had to knock out three agents in the junkyard, so. Can we maybe get a move on before they wake up?” 

“Yeah,” Christine agreed, standing once more. “Yeah, good idea.” 

“Thanks.” Hopper headed back to his van, waving a hand over his shoulder. “Everyone jump in. Wheeler in shotgun, the rest of you in the back. And all of you keep your heads down. The last thing we need is for one of you to be seen.” 

He swung the back door open, and turned around to find he was talking to empty air. The children had all piled into the crappy Ford, their babysitter ringleader in the front. She started the car up and pulled into a U-turn. Pulling up alongside him, she rolled down her window. 

“Coming, Chief?” 

She smiled, which was annoying. What was worse was the way every kid in the car grinned with her, the girl in the passenger seat and the three boys stuffed in the back. He knew there wasn’t enough time on the clock to argue, but he sure would’ve liked to. 

“Just keep your heads down,” he grumbled. “And don’t get shot.” 

The curly haired one gave him a salute, and they all slid down in their seats as Christine pulled onto the road. Hopper slammed the back door shut and climbed into the driver seat. He preferred a hangover to kids these days.