Chapter One: The Reunion

Tiredness overpowered Eleven as she clung to Hopper, she was so tired it was sickening. She hadn't realized Hopper had started the elevator's ascent back up the tunnel, or how much darker the unearthed area under the lab was without the glow emitted from the Gate. All she could focus on was the hold Hopper had on her, and that she had on him.

She felt the elevator stop with a shunt, remembering where they were started to cause discomfort to return. Although she had walked past the bodies of the people who had wanted to hurt her, the nerves still resurfaced as she began to refocus. She knew they had to leave, but she was too drained to move, Hopper appeared to already know this, and picked her up off the floor and began to walk.

"You alright kid?" asked Hopper, trying to get through the shattered window without getting scratched. Eleven wanted to respond but all she could manage was a nod into his arm. She'd known closing the Gate would be hard, but she hadn't expected to feel this weak and small afterwards. She hadn't expected to even be here, she thought the monster would drag her back in like the Demogorgon had before, leaving her trapped in the Upside Down without an escape.

"You know you're safe now right?" stated Hopper. He must have seen the worry through the tiredness on her face and the darkness of the hall. "You can't be taken back there now, it's over." Hearing the word 'over' was re-assuring to both of them, but they both knew that not all of their problems were over, that they still had to deal with the people who would replace the bodies in the corridors.

They came across Dr Owens still sitting in the stairwell, he appeared slightly more aware than before Hopper had tied a tourniquet around his leg. Hopper lay El against the opposing wall to Owens, making sure she was supported enough not to flop over. He stood up and turned to Owens, "Hey Doc, do you think you could limp out of here with a crutch?" These words surprised El, she knew Hopper thought this man wasn't like the others, but she detested the idea of taking him with them.

"That would be most appreciated Hop", the weak man muttered, looking up at the Chief, "Go through the door, turn right and go until you find a store room, you should find something appropriate in there." Before Hopper could leave, Owens handed him back his gun, "I think you should take this, so she doesn't think I'll hurt her with it." El was more surprised by this than Hopper giving aid to one of the 'bad men'. Maybe Dr Owens wasn't quite the same as the others, he knew what she could do yet gave away his weapon, he was either mad or confident in his ability to avoid her killing him.

Hopper nodded and left, giving her a look, one she knew meant 'It'll be alright.' Once the door shut the room was silent, she was starting to have troubles hearing with the blood drying in her ears, she began to clean it out with her sleeve.

"So Eleven, you've been with Hopper for almost a year now, it's impressive he's kept you a secret for so long, Hop is a pretty smart guy." El didn't know how to react, the doctor's words weren't threatening but sincere. She didn't want to reply, her throat was still sore, so she just stared at the odd man, he should be her enemy, but he is too friendly, and he even has Hoppers trust, something hard to earn.

Hopper returned with a mop, the strings taped down forming a cushion atop a stick. "This is the best I can do Doc, but first you've got to get up these stairs."

"Well Jimbo, could you give me a hand?" Hopper helped him up and passes him the crutch. Owens, with little grace, started dragging his leg up behind him, using the wall as a support and the crutch to help boost him up each step. El thought it was funny watching the scientist hobble up the stairs, until she realized she couldn't even manage that and Hop had to carry her back up like a baby.

The three of them slowly made their way towards the exit, passing the bodies of the Demo-dogs victims. "I'm guessing you succeeded in closing the gate then?" Asked Owens, using both the makeshift crutch and Hoppers shoulder to walk with them. "Truly incredible, in a year we didn't make a scratch to it, then you close it in less than an hour, truly incredible."

El felt guilty, she had opened the gate in the first place, none of this would have happened if she had gone against Papa's orders and not interfered with the monster. She realized that Hopper was carrying her the same way Papa had the day she'd hurt those two guards who had tried and failed to lock her in 'the room'. The chill of the memory was offset by the comfort and safety Hopper provided, and as they neared the exit, El realized that everything would change now, hopefully for the better.

"No, I am driving end of story," Steve interjected over Max, "I don't care that it's your brothers, you're too young and you can't even reach the pedals!"

"I can reach the pedals, I just couldn't figure out how to adjust the seat!"

"As if that's any better, just let me drive, I'm not going to crash your brother's stupid car, I do have a license."

"He's not my brother and I don't care that you have a license, can you even see properly after what Billy did to your face?" Guilt appeared across Max's face as she said this, she had been the reason for that.

Steve was just about to argue back when Mike decided to finally end this, "Hey, this isn't important, we need to get back to the Byers now!" That shut them up, "Steve drives, now let's go."

With that, they got into the car and headed off. Max somehow voluntarily sat in the back with Lucas and Dustin, Mike took the front seat, his status as leader had been fully recognized and restored by the party, even it's newest member. This didn't put Mike's mind to rest though, they had no idea what was happening with the others, all they knew was that the Demo-dogs had been heading towards the gate and that something had caused the car's lights to intensify for a moment.

Mike's current theory was that the lights were connected to Eleven closing the gate, but he still didn't know what that meant. Did she remain on this side, did she succeed, did closing the gate stop the dogs or where they still after them? Mike had many questions, all he could hope for was Will being rid of the shadow monster and Eleven being safe, God he wanted her to be okay, he'd only just gotten her back, he couldn't imagine losing her again.

Mike's thoughts were interrupted by unsurprisingly more arguments from the car. "Eleven is not weird, she's our friend," Dustin retorted to Steve.

"Well you have to admit she's a bit weird, I mean, I'd heard a few things about her but what's with the crazy outfit and just scary… scary everything?" Steve shot back.

"She's not weird at all, so what that she turns up after a year looking like a Rockstar, it's pretty awesome." Dustin replied.

"Well, I mean she is pretty intense," Max said, adding her opinion into the conversation.

"Dustin, you have to agree it's pretty freaky her turning up to save our asses at the last moment dressed like she's joined a band. Also, how come she's been hiding with Hopper after he gave us up last year?"

"All that matters is that Els our friend and she's back," Mike countered, "she's finally home." But Mike wasn't sure about that yet, he had to see it to believe it, but the fact everyone else thought she was still around gave Mike hope that he would see her again.

To Mike's discomfort they were the first back at the Byers, only Bob's car was present on the driveway. The house was still lit but the lack of movement made Mike worry, they had no idea what had happened, and they couldn't get hold of anyone on the radio's.

Mike had completely forgotten about Billy when he entered the house and found him still lying in front of the door unconscious.

"Shit, what do we do about this, does anyone have a pen? "asked Dustin from behind Mike.

"We're not drawing on his face," replied Max, "He's a massive dick but I need to get him home and hopefully have him cooperate a story."

"You sure he'll be helpful, I mean he hasn't exactly been great for us so far," Lucas interjected.

"Well I doubt he wants anyone knowing what happened here, his Dad would not go easy on him," responded Max. "Plus, I'm pretty sure he's going to be more agreeing after I threatened him with the bat."

"Listen, I think we should get him out of here before Mr's Byers' gets home, unless you want to explain what happened here." added Dustin. But as he finished the sound of a car started coming up the drive. "Will!" he exclaimed, forgetting his previous train of thought.

Mike was happy to see the Byers' car, but had wished to also see Hoppers following behind. Instead, the kids and Steve rushed out as the car halted, waiting to see who emerged, and in what state.

Jonathan and Nancy both exited at the same time, looking confused. "Why is Billy's car here?" questioned Nancy.

"Don't worry Nance, he's unconscious." came Dustin. Of Course, this didn't answer anything, but they fell silent as they watched Jonathan slowly lift Will from the car. He appeared even paler than before, completely drained of energy, but Mike could see the small rise and fall of his chest. Relief momentarily filled Mike, until he remembered Will was not the only friend he might have lost.

"Is he okay?" asked Max, looking worryingly at the small boy.

"He'll be alright," said Joyce as she appeared from the rear of the car.

"Is the monster gone?" Mike mumbled to Nancy as they made their way inside.

"I think so," she returned quietly, "It's out of Will at least, I saw it disappear into the sky, it looked like it was dissolving as it went, but you said it can't survive with the gate closed right?"

"Well hopefully not, but we're basing this off a game, although it'd make sense that there'd be no connection between the upside down and our world if the gate were closed." Mike muttered.

The Wheelers were stopped by the line of people standing in front of the door. "Why is there an unconscious kid on the floor?" asked Joyce, obviously not hearing Dustin from the back of the car. Before she could get a response, she simply stepped over him and replied, "Just get him out of here before he wakes up."

At this Steve grabbed his shoulders and Max his legs, they carried the sleeping Billy towards his car, not caring they smacked his arms against the door frame. "Have you heard from Hopper at all?" Mike asked the Byers' as he regained his priority of thought.

"No, Jonathan contacted him when we got 'it' out of Will, the message got through, but we haven't heard anything from him. I'm sure she's fine, she has Hopper." Nancy reassured. But as Mike watched the Byer's disappear down the drawing covered hallway, he realized it could be a while until he discovered the fate of El.

"Mike, she'll be okay," repeated Lucas, "Together, her and Hopper are an unbeatable force." Mike felt no better with these words, he knew how powerful she was, he didn't need reminding. What worried Mike was what could happen outside of their control, what if she was returned to the Upside Down, what if closing the gate killed her?

Mike was so preoccupied in thought that he didn't notice his eye's beginning to water and Nancy pulling him into an embrace. Mike didn't care what his friends thought, just that El would be safe, and Nancy's affection made him feel she was.

A few moments later, after Mike had composed himself, he pulled away and turned to Lucas and Dustin, "You guys should get going, it's really late and we'll have to go to school tomorrow."

"You'd think saving the world would grant you a day off school or something," Dustin replied.

"Well unless you want to explain why you deserve the day off to your parents, you'd better head back, I'll stay here and update you tomorrow."

"If you're sure Mike?" replied Lucas, looking wearily at his friend, "I could do with a bit of sleep for tomorrow."

"Yeah, and I've got to get this asshole back and awake," came Max as she re-entered the house. "Hey Steve, I'll let you drive this time if you get us home!" she yelled.

"What do you mean this time?" questioned Nancy, looking worryingly over at the kids.

"Mike will explain, wont you Mike?" she stated as she started to exit.

"Sorry Mike," Lucas apologized as he followed, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, good luck Mike," came Dustin as he gathered his headset from the table and followed his friends. "Oh, and make sure Mr's Byers knows what's in the fridge before she opens it."

Before Nancy could even ask, Dustin had shut the door, leaving Mike to explain everything. Mike didn't mind though, he knew this came with being the party leader again, and it was worth it. Although, he also didn't mind because his thoughts were still truly distracted with El.

As the car pulled away, Jonathan returned to the room. "They're off then, I thought they'd stick around a bit for Will?" mumbled Jonathan.

"Well the best thing for Will is rest, and their parents must already be wondering where they are. Oh shit, what about our parents?" Mike looked worryingly to Nancy.

"I told Mum I'd be back tonight, you?" asked Nancy.

"I haven't spoken to her since Friday, do you think she'll mind another day?"

"I'll ring and tell her we're staying here for the night, as I've been… studying with Jonathan and you've been keeping Will company whilst he's been sick, she can't be mad at that right?" supposed Nancy.

"Yeah, that sounds good enough. What have you and Jonathan been doing anyway?" questioned Mike.

Nancy and Jonathan began to shy, but Nancy quickly recovered, "I'll tell you what we've been doing the last few days after you tell me what you kids and Steve have been up to."

"Just go call Mum, I'll explain everything whilst we wait." Mike couldn't fully distract himself from El's absence, but he could try by recounting what they'd been up to whilst the others were out.

Whilst Nancy was speaking to their Mother, Mike kept watch out of the window, waiting for them to arrive, he knew they must soon. Jonathan kept going from room to room, gathering blankets and sheets for Will, whilst Joyce remained with her sleeping son, keeping a constant watch over him.

Nancy returned, looking a little red faced, "So, Mums alright, apparently Billy went round looking for Max, he was meant to tell you to come home. According to Mum, he was a very charming young man." This made Mike snigger, whist making him increasingly sick.

"So, what were you doing whilst we were gone? "queried Nancy. Mike knew she wasn't going to be thrilled with what they'd done, how they'd started a fire in the tunnels. But, they were all okay, so she couldn't get too mad right? "Start with Billy Mike." she coaxed, as Jonathan came and sat next to her on the couch.

Mike sat down in one of the chairs and began, "So Billy came to get Max and Steve couldn't stop him, they had a fight and Steve lost, badly."

"So why was Billy unconscious on the floor then?" wondered Jonathan.

"Well whilst Billy was beating up Steve, Max injected him with the stuff we used to keep Will asleep."

"You mean Max just grabbed a syringe and injected Billy!" blurted Nancy, clearly in shock at the actions of the kids.

"So?" Mike defended, "Joyce did the same thing with Will."

"Yes, but it's different if Joyce does it," protested Nancy.

"Yeah, well we didn't expect her to do it, or almost hit him with the bat, she is Mad Max."

"Whatever," responded Jonathan, "Where did you all go then?"

"We went for Pizza." Mike tried, but they weren't buying it, unsurprisingly. "We went and started a fire in the tunnels."

"What do you mean start a fire in the tunnels!" blurted Nancy. Mike could see Nancy was mad, he'd been expecting it, and he knew she wouldn't be the only one to express their dislike for what they'd done. But thought suddenly left Mike's head before he could reply when a beam of light came through the remaining window.

He was outside the house as the car halted, the lights still clouding his vision. Once they were off, Mike had never been so relieved, she was there, on the back seat, she was there. He sprinted to the rear door, opening it before Hopper could even exit, and she was there, alive, weakly leaning against the seat, head tilted towards him, with a small smile across her depleted face.

I'm British so if anything the characters say doesn't make sense for an American to say, let me know. I am also working on more chapters, I have quite a bit planned and have for a while, so there will be updates, I just don't know how frequently yet. I do know that this chapter is likely a little longer than the others will be in future although I'm not sure until I finish writting them.