The car bumped again as it hit another rock in the stony path. Eleven, who was now curled up in a tiny ball, flinched and groaned. Hopper apologised again. He reached over to hold her hand. She raised a limp palm and placed it in his.
"You did so good, kid." Hopper said, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. "I'm so proud of you." The car bounced again, and the girl moaned. Hopper shushed her, telling her they will be back at the Byers' house again soon.
The dull noise of the car, one that she had found to be quite quiet before, was now loud and drowned out everything else. Every thud and bump hammered at her head. Hopper's voice was gentle, soothing, quiet. He cared for her so much. He cared for her like his Sara. She knew that. Because it was like how Nancy cared for Mike, how Joyce and Jonathan cared for Will when he was missing. And she cared for him the same way.
Another bump. Soon, the car slowed down and stopped. Hopper let go of her hand and got out of the car on his side. Lights were blinding her. The door on her side opened. The chief lifted her into his arms and carried her to the front door. Someone was sitting on the steps, clearly waiting for them, and opened the door for them.
"Is she okay?" The person asked. Now, Eleven could tell it was Steve. She had only met him briefly, finally meeting him properly before going to close the gate. His job had been to take care of Mike, Lucas, Dustin and Max, while she and Hopper went to the gate, and Joyce, Jonathan and Nancy got the Mind Flayer to leave Will alone.
"She's fine." Hopper replied. "Just really worn out. Can you do me a favour and get a damp cloth or something? The strain…she has a really bad nosebleed." Eleven saw Steve nod and walk to the kitchen. Hopper gently placed her on the sofa. She grunted at being jostled around.
Steve walked back in with a piece of cream fabric in his hand. He handed it to Hopper and the chief wiped at Eleven ears and nose. Steve held her hand, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb the same way Hopper had. It was comforting, like a reassurance that she wasn't alone in the lab anymore. She had a large group of people that cared about her.
When Hopper felt sure she was clean, he smiled softly at her and kissed her on the forehead. The gel in her hair had started to come out, random strands and curls bouncing away from her head.
"Alright." He started. "The other kids are sleeping in Will's room right now, I'll guess they are faking it waiting for you. But because they don't know you're back yet, I'll get Joyce to give you a nice warm bath and Steve and I'll find you some comfy clothes and then you give them all a proper hello. How does that sound?" Eleven nodded weakly. Hopper smiled again and stood up to get Joyce. Steve stayed with her, still holding her hand.
"So, Eleven, or El, it's nice to finally meet you." He said jokingly. El laughed a little, feeling a large weight come off her mind.
"Steve." She said, pointing a shaking finger at him. He laughed. "Nice to meet you."
Hopper walked back in, Joyce trailing in behind him. Eleven smiled at her and sat up slowly. The woman sat on the sofa next to her and pulled her into a large hug. The girl pulled her closer against herself, feeling her warm breath tickle her neck.
"Let's give you a bath then, shall we?" Joyce asked. Eleven nodded and the woman helped her stand up. They walked slowly to the bathroom. The bath was warm, the soap bubbled against her skin, and Joyce's hands washed her hair gently. Soon a hand popped round the door holding some clothes and a towel. Eleven dried herself, then Joyce helped her into the clothes.
They were slightly baggy, most likely some of Jonathan's old clothes. They were soft and comfortable. Joyce towel dried her hair and her curls sprang from her head. Joyce smiled at her.
"You look so grown up now." The mother said. "Your hair is so pretty."
"Will Mike like it?" El asked, her voice hesitant. Joyce laughed gently.
"Of course, he will." She replied. Hopper walked into the bathroom. Joyce gave him a look that Eleven didn't understand. The chief just smiled back and held out his hand to El. She took it and Hopper pulled her into a hug.
"I'm so proud of you, you know?" He whispered into her hair. She hugged him back and nodded against his chest. He laughed and kissed her crown.
"Mike?" She muttered. Hopper immediately understood what she meant.
"All of them are waiting for you in the front room. C'mon."
All the party couldn't sleep. They were too worried about Eleven. Will had come back tired, but after he took a nap, he was much more awake now, eager to meet El after all the stories the party had told him. Max felt the same, after what Lucas had told her, Eleven was pretty cool. But when she had introduced herself before they came up with the plan, El had shunned and ignored her. Lucas and Dustin tried to tell her Eleven wasn't used to people, but she wasn't sure she believed them.
Lucas and Dustin were very excited to see their friend again. From what they had seen before she ran off to close the gate to save them, she had changed. A lot. Her hair had grown and her clothes…let's just say they weren't the same. Dustin was ready to show Eleven all sorts of games and sweets and every awesome thing she had missed while she was a lab rat. Lucas wanted to introduce her to the best movies, the ones the entire party enjoyed. She was going to love it.
Mike was just waiting for her to come back. He had called her every night, and she had heard. He didn't know what she had done to hear, but he assumed it was how she had found Will. If she could find people in another dimension, she could find people here. He had missed her so much. The night she left was the worst night of his life. But he couldn't tell anyone that. While, yes, Eleven disappeared, Will was back and alive. But now she was back. She was coming back to him. He was still angry at Hopper for keeping her hidden and away from him. But then he also understands why. She will forever be hunted by people who want to use her, but Hawkins is a small town. Not many people will want to hurt her here.
When El walked into the front room, she saw all of them sitting around each other, worry completely covering their faces. She had missed them so much, seeing them in the void just wasn't enough for that very long year.
Hopper cleared his throat and the party all stood up. Mike's face lit up at the sight of El. Tears started to fill both their eyes. They ran towards each other, embracing the other in the most emotional hug that Hawkins has ever had. They laughed and cried and pulled each other close. Dustin and Lucas came over to join them, while Will and Max stayed near the sofa awkwardly.
After the all pulled apart, Mike, Lucas and Dustin all started on about how they missed her. Then, Dustin was trying to describe what she had missed, along with Lucas, while Mike was trying to get them to stop talking. Eleven smiled at them, telling them how she had missed them too.
"Eleven?" Will said from behind the boys. The telekinetic girl looked at him and smiled a little.
"Will. Nice to meet you." She said. The boy smiled and hugged her. She froze before hugging him back.
"Thank you." He whispered.
"Eleven?" Max said from beside Will. "We didn't get to properly meet. I'm Max." The tomboy held out her hand to El again, and again, El ignored it, going back to Mike.
"Alright, kids. You better get some sleep." Hopper said. "I'll tell your parents that you're here, so they don't worry about you. You all can sleep in Will's room."
"Can Steve come with us too?" Dustin asked hopefully. Steve laughed and shook his head.
"I'll sleep out here tonight, kid." The older boy answered.
The kids were soon all lying in Will's bedroom. They decided Eleven and Will would sleep in the bed, because of Eleven wearing herself out and Will dealing with the Mind Flayer. Mike would sleep on the floor next to the bed, the same side El was sleeping. Max would sleep on the floor at the foot end of the bed, and Dustin and Lucas would sleep on the floor on Will's side.
When everyone was asleep, Mike climbed up onto the bed with El. The girl grumbled a little and woke up at the movement. Mike apologises softly and brushes her curls away from her eyes, but they just fall back into place again.
"I missed you." The boy whispered. Eleven just pressed her head into his chest and fell asleep again. Mike smiled softly and nuzzled into her. He soon fell asleep, holding El tight in his arms, afraid she was going to disappear in the night.
Hopper soon checked on them and saw the Wheeler kid in the bed with his girl. Despite the fatherly instincts threatening to overcome him, he knew they needed this. He saw the soft smiles on both their faces and he smirked to himself, knowing that it was the easiest El has slept all year.
A/N This is going to be my way of writing season 3. Please enjoy!
Remember to review, favourite and follow me and the story. And remember!
Stay sweet!