Hey everyone! This is my first official FanFiction. I use to write with my sister when I was a teen, sadly I'm probably way to old for this, but this has been stuck in my head forever. I'm not sure where it's going, but it will be more than just one chapter, mainly cause I already have chapter 2 written. It takes place right after they close the gate and will probably lead to at least the Snowball. I appreciate any feedback! Thank you for giving it a chance!
Disclaimer: I own nothing Stranger Things. The Duffers are amazing and I have no idea what will happen in s3 but I'm dying waiting!
Chapter 1: The After
Mike Wheeler paced the Byers front porch, waiting for headlights. It had been an hour since they had gotten back from the tunnels, but it seemed like forever waiting for her to come back from Hawkins Lab. After nearly a year apart he didn't know how much longer he could wait before knowing she was ok.
After they had gotten back to the Byers house a few things had occurred. Billy Hargrove was still passed out on the floor but Steve and Jonathan had managed to get him into the back of his car, which Steve had agreed to drive to Max's house as Jonathan followed to give him a ride back.
"I can't believe all this is real," said Max, as she and the boys watched them load up Billy.
"I hate to say I told you so but..." Lucas smiled at her.
"Whatever, Stalker," she rolled her eyes but there was a smile on her lips.
"Max, let's go," yelled Steve.
Max said her goodbyes to Lucas and Dustin, Will was inside in bed, worn out from the Mind Flayer leaving his body. Mike was sitting on the steps away from the others, waiting. Max stopped next to him on her way to the car.
"Hey." He looked up for the first time. "She'll be ok. She seems like one tough chick."
Mike tried to smile, but failed. "She is. Thanks," he paused. "Zoomer."
Max smiled at him before running to the car where Steve was waiting. She finally felt accepted to The Party, though she wasn't sure how El being back would affect things, the girl hadn't seemed to care for Max and Max wasn't sure why. She leaned her head against the cold window as she directed Steve to her house.
Back at the Byers, Joyce had made everyone call their parents. The boys had all decided to stay, it was late and they wanted to be there for Will when he was feeling better. Nancy had ridden with Jonathan and he would drop her off at home. Joyce made them all sandwiches as they waited for Hopper and Eleven to get back, she had taken one to Mike on the porch but he refused to eat.
They had been home 15 minutes when the supercom had gone off.
"Anyone there? It's Hopper. Over."
Mike jumped from the porch, through the open front door, and grabbed the walkie talkie.
"Yes! We're here! It's Mike! Is El ok? Over."
"She's fine, kid. Just exhausted. We found some extra trouble at the lab that has to be taken care of. We'll be back soon."
"'Extra trouble'? Is everything ok? Over!" But Mike got no reply. "Hello? Hello!"
He'd been on the porch ever since. Pacing off and on, stopping at any noise he heard, breathing in the chilly November air. Dustin and Lucas watched him through the open front door. Ms.Byers had given them the job of helping clean up so they could get to bed soon but they weren't doing the most efficient job.
"Think he's losing it?" Lucas said to Dustin as he swept up some broken glass.
"Definitely," Dustin nodded. He held the dustpan for Lucas. "Weird that the chief had Eleven hidden all year, don't you think?"
Lucas nodded agreement. "Yeah. As weird as you housing a baby Demogorgan."
"Dude. Let it go."
"Never!"
Their argument was interrupted as they saw headlights through the door.
"Guys! Their back!" Mike yelled.
Hoppers old truck stopped in the driveway and he got out. Mike ran to the passengers side as the door opened and El tried to get out.
"Hold on, kid." He heard Hopper try to stop her but she was determined. She stepped out but stumbled. Mike reached her just before she fell. He saw that she had dry blood coming from both nostrils and both ears.
"I got you," he whispered to her as she leaned into him.
"Mike." Her voice was small, barely a whisper. "I did it."
"I know. You did great," Mike assured her.
"Let's get her inside," said Hopper as he let Mike help her into the house. He got her to the couch as everyone stood around looking at her.
"Mike. How's Will?" She was always worried about everyone else, never herself, though Mike.
"He's ok. The Mind Flayer left him. He's sleeping."
"Good." She looked like she was about to pass out as she leaned against Mike's shoulder. "Good," she repeated. She was holding his hand as if letting go would physically hurt her. Mike tried not to be nervous about how close they were, and in front of everyone.
Mike looked at Hopper, "What happened?"
Now everyone looked at Hopper, wanting to know the same.
"Well, we got in ok. Those dogs weren't really around much as we were going down," he sighed and sat in one of the chairs near him. "We ran into Doc Owens, though. His leg was pretty messed up but he was alive. So after El closed the gate we got him out and to the hospital. Then came here." He lit a cigarette as he finished his story.
"That's it?" Dustin asked.
Hopper glared at him, "I'm sorry," he said sarcastically, "were you expecting something more?"
"No. Not at all," Dustin said quickly.
"Ok, kids," said Joyce, "I think it's time we get you guys settled for the night. It's been a big day. Hop, you staying?"
"Figured we would." Mike noticed the "we" referring to El and himself. He was still mad at Hopper about hiding her. "No sure she's up for the drive out to the cabin." Hopper looked over at El, who was buried deep in Mikes side. Her eyes were closed but she was still awake, listening. She clung to Mikes hand and Hopper knew there was no way he would get her to leave tonight.
Dustin and Lucas made pallets in the floor of Will's room. Will had briefly woken up and eaten a bit, but his mind was trying to heal itself by sleeping. Joyce had tried to help Eleven clean up in the bathroom, they had managed to wash the dried blood and smudge make up from her face and found her some more comfortable clothes.
El laid on the couch as Mike covered her up. She looked up at him with heavy eyes. "Mike?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm happy to be home."
Mike smiled at her, knowing that 'home' referred to being back with her friends. He sat down on the floor next to the couch. His head inches from hers as she lay there.
"I'm happy you're home, too. I'm so glad your ok, El. I wish I had known all year that you were ok."
She looked guilty. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"No! No! It's not your fault. You were just trying to be safe. In the end you being safe is all that matters. I just... I just missed you. The guys thought I was crazy and no one really understood. It was just... a really hard year." He looked at the floor as he confessed this to her. He felt embarrassed and vulnerable.
"Mike?" She said, causing him to look up. "I understand. I missed you, too. It was..." she looked as though she was searching for a word, "lonely."
He took a risk and kissed her forehead. She smiled up at him. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers, feeling sleepy for the first time all night. Eleven closed her eyes, too, and lay there listening to Mike breath. She was exhausted but talking with him was so important to her. She smiled knowing that she was finally able to let him know he had no been alone in missing her, that she had missed him, too.
"Good night, Mike," she whispered as she drifted to sleep.
"Night, El," he was already half way asleep.
Thank you for reading! Chapter 2 coming soon! Any review or word of advice is much appreciated!
xoxo- El.
