Authors Note: A few one-shots between the time Eleven closes the gate, and the Snow Ball.

Story One: The End.

..

"Joyce, come in, Joyce. Over." He stood outside Hawkin's Lab, Eleven sitting on the front steps, head hanging in exhaustion, blood still dripping from her nose and ears. He could only imagine how she felt, considering how every inch of his body ached.

"I'm here Hopper, over." The sound of her voice, and seeing El next to him... it made his heart sing. Could this hell really be over? Could Joyce finally have Will back?

"Will we see you at the cabin? Over."

"Yes, we are here. The kids are coming too. Is El okay? Over."

"She is fine. We will see you soon. Over."

..

The drive from Hawkin's Lab back to his cabin was a blur. At some point El had fallen asleep, finally unable to fight her exhaustion. On arriving he carried El's body through the front door, held open by Joyce and straight to her bed. Mike followed him in and once she was tucked safely under her duvet he sat at her feet. Mike's hand lay over her legs in a posessive, protective manner.

"Will she be okay Chief?"

"Yeah, she'll be fine kid." He ruffled the boys hair. "You can stay here tonight if you like."

"I think we all need to," Mike answered softly and gestured to the door where the rest of the gang was hovering.

"I'll get you blankets."

Joyce embraced him the moment he walked through the girls bedroom door, she held so tight he felt as though she wasn't planning on ever letting go.

"Is it over, Hop?" She loosened her hold a little and looked up at him, her face tear streaked, hair still sweaty and clinging to her face. He gently brushed a strand hanging over her eyes and gave her a reassuring smile.

"I hope so, I really do." He glanced over her head towards where Will lay on a make-shift bed. "Shall we pop him in the bedroom with El? He would be more comfortable."

Hopper picked up the small boys limp body in his arms, Will seemed only vaguely aware of what was going on. He gently lay him under the duvet beside El, the rest of the children were sitting or laying around the bed and his heart suddenly felt full. Eleven was like a daughter to him, but each and every one of the kids in the room meant so much to him. It made him happy to see, and feel the love that they all shared. The bond between these kids could never be broken, particularly after everything they had been through.

Joyce was handing out blankets while he rearranged the lounge to fit Joyce, Nancy, Jonathan and himself. Steve was about to say his goodbyes, ready to go home and recover. His face looked as though he had been pummeled, but Hopper would have to worry about that tomorrow. Tonight, all he wanted to do was sleep with all the people he cared about most in his life under the same roof.

Nancy and Jonathan took one couch, Nancy small enough that she could lay in Jonathan's arms. Joyce left the kids door open and came out giving both Jonathan and Nancy a gentle kiss on the forehead.

"I'm so lucky to have a son like you Jonathan," she whispered. While she spoke with Jonathan he took one more look into Eleven's room to ensure she and her friends were okay before heading back to the lounge.

"You can take my bed," he told Joyce, gesturing to his bed. "I'll sleep on the floor." Joyce frowned, her mouth twisting slightly as if she were going to say no. He could see her hands trembling at her sides and for one moment he forgot that Jonathan and Nancy were in the room, and that all the children were within earshot. "Joyce," he took the few steps across the room to reach her and pulled her to him, kissing her gently on the top of the head. "Just take the bed, you need it more than me."

"Not true," she mumbled against his chest. He released her and gently tugged on her hand, leading her to the bed. It wasn't quite a single, but it certainly wasn't a large bed. He pulled back the covers and she turned to face him, glancing worriedly behind her. "Lay with me," she whispered. "Please." He also looked behind him, but none of the kids were looking in their direction, they seemed to be studiously ignoring them. Or perhaps they were simply too tired to care.

"Okay." Under any other circumstances he would never have agreed. He cared deeply for the woman before him, but there was so much more to it. Tonight they had almost died, they had almost lost Will - again. He felt that this could be called a good enough reason, or reasons, to hold her in his arms.

He tugged off his boots and overcoat before climbing into bed beside her. She was so small she took up hardly any room and before he could wonder how he should lie, she had all but thrown herself on top of him, tucking herself tightly against his body. He thanked the heavens that he was so exhausted his body couldn't betray him.

"Sleep well," he whispered, and again kissed her on the top of the head. "I think it's finally all over."

The End.