Chapter Four – Nicotine Gum

As the Wheeler's and company sat down to a deliciously aromatic breakfast, Jonathan was opening the pharmacy. His coworker Eric and he had been busy arranging bottles of cough syrup and boxes of pills on the shelves since four. Jonathan was younger and more flexible, so he wordlessly set about stocking the lowest shelves, crouching beside Eric's leg. "Make sure you remember to check the expiration dates too. We don't want some little old lady dropping a lawsuit into our hands," Eric reminded him.

Jonathan turned one of the bottles so that the tiny black numbers were facing him, "Oh yeah…" They both chuckled to themselves.

"Yeah…that is if she can even read the date correctly…" Eric snickered. Jonathan shook his head, just glad that he hadn't joked about the old lady dying from the expired medicine. Eric watched as Jonathan placed the newest bottles behind the rest of the stack, ensuring that the oldest were pushed to the front. "You're getting the hang of this kid," he noted as Jonathan peered over his shoulder. "Didn't even need to tell you about rotating stock," he shrugged, undeniably impressed. This was Jonathan's second day on the job, but Eric sensed he was brighter than he appeared…or at least more practical than others from his age group. Before Jonathan could reply, the door opened and Eric returned to the pharmacy counter. The steely-eyed boy continued moving the bottles around when a familiar voice startled him from his work.

"Hey Jonathan," Hopper nodded his way. The considerably tall teenager stood up to greet him, shaking his hand.

"Hey Mr. Hopper," Jonathan replied. "Do you need help uh…finding anything?" he looked about at the shelves.

"No I'm alright kid, just here for a prescription," Hopper told him with a shake of his head. Jonathan nodded, turning this over in his mind. Chief Jim Hopper…he'd always struck him as a (generally) healthy guy…with maybe an occasional hankering for a cigarette. He didn't know him enough to recall any other bad habits or illnesses…but something about him made Jonathan think of alcohol. As Hopper picked the brown paper bag from the counter, thanking Eric, they exchanged a curious glance before he passed Jonathan, exiting the store. Eric returned to his side, hands already on the shelves.

"You know that guy?" Eric asked.

"Well, sort of," Jonathan responded, watching him get into his patrol car. "He's the Chief of Police so, I kind of figured everybody knew him…"

"Yeah…word is, he's a bit of a ladies' man…" Eric bumped him with his shoulder, winking childishly.

"Who, him?" Jonathan replied, chuckling to himself. As Hopper pulled from the parking lot, the boy noticed a woman seated beside the Chief…and he distinctly recognized the outline of Joyce's head. She was in the car with him! Jonathan's eyes went wide with confusion. When had she left with him today? Is this some kind of fling or is something wrong at home?! Not only did Eric's earlier joke escalate his surprise, but he always had to take it a step further. This was before Jonathan knew Eric's real profession was beating a dead horse.

"Uh-oh, looks like he's got somebody with him now…" Jonathan eyed him glaringly. "Nice to know he spends half his time sleeping with women when he's supposed to be protecting the streets…" Eric remarked with a grin, his voice full of unprovoked spite. The boy shook his head, biting his lip impatiently. "You ever wonder about the kinds of women he…attracts?"

Jonathan stood to meet Keith at eye level, "That's my mother!"

Eric stared at him, turning pale with shock. "…it is?!"

"Yeah…it is," Jonathan turned on a dime and began stocking aisle three, distancing himself from his arrogant coworker. He crouched down to the bottom shelves again, hurriedly sorting the bottles. He knew he needed to get home and talk to her. This morning came back to him in flashes as he faintly remembered two glasses of unfinished liquor sitting on the coffee table. He remembered glancing absently at the see-through bottle, capping it so Will wouldn't accidentally knock it over. How could he have ignored those salient clues?! The only thing he'd paid attention to was ensuring their dog was fed and let out! He glanced back to the door as it opened and watched Steve Harrington step into the pharmacy.

"I didn't know your son worked there," Hopper commented as he closed his car door. Joyce nodded, elbow propped on the window, her hand covering her mouth. "…Joyce?" She hadn't responded, and he sighed, starting the ignition. Undoubtedly she was fatigued with worry.

"…she wasn't there Hop," she shook her head, gazing out at the bushes lining the parking lot. A sick feeling plagued them both as Hopper put the car into gear.

"That doesn't mean anything. Not until we find her…" Hop tried to sound confident. As he rolled onto the main roadway, he could tell her thoughts had darkened considerably. Part of him worried it was his fault. "I'm gonna take you home Joyce…" he said, turning onto the long stretch of road leading to her street.

"No…I'll be late for work," she shook her head, glancing down at the paper bag. "Could you drop me off at the store?"

"Sure," Hopper nodded, flicking his blinker on as he turned into the parking lot. He parked the car and Joyce stepped out.

"Thanks a bunch Hop…" she said in a hollow tone, hand resting on the car door. She knew her coworkers were just inside the building, possibly watching Hop and her through the glass. But looking at this man, this gem of a man who'd risked his life for her son and was currently working on saving another child…she couldn't care less what people thought.

"Joyce!" he called just before the door slammed shut. She fumbled with the handle in vain – it had locked on its own – so he rolled the window down. Joyce was chuckling her apologies when he said in a genuine tone, "Thanks for coming with me."

Joyce's eyes locked with his and she finally understood. He could've called anyone for backup, sparing them the top-secret details and simply referring to his search as a missing persons case. This tiny sliver of vulnerability he was showing her took Joyce aback, and she stared at him in awe. Luckily, she was able to mask most of her amazement. "Of course Hop," she replied, beaming with happiness. "Pfft…I'd go with you to hell and back!" she exclaimed as they both smiled, eyes lowering as they remembered their trip to the Upside Down. "…I mean; we've basically been there already…" she added comically. Their smiles were tired, reflective ones; both man and woman were grateful to have escaped with their lives, and her son. Still, a good sense of humor had to be kept concerning the whole secret operation…otherwise they'd go insane.

"I'll let you know as soon as anything comes up," he assured her. Both people seemed fully invested in this plan, hoping just as much as the other that it would come to fruition. Joyce just couldn't push the dark memories from her mind…at least not alone. Sometimes Hopper drove her absolutely crazy, probably raising her blood pressure. And then sometimes, he calmed her down, assuring her that everything was gonna be alright. That he was there for her…

"We should try again tonight…maybe, if we called her name?" she suggested as he fished about for a radio. She captured his gaze as he searched her eyes for any hint of hesitation. He wanted to ensure she was ready for whatever repercussions came with finding the girl. He couldn't help it, even though he knew she meant what she'd said. As their shared gaze deepened, he took in the vivacious presence of this strong, independent mother. She had her son back…and to most that would be all that matters. Still, she couldn't sit by and pretend there wasn't another lost child out there, clinging to life by a box in an unnerving forest. Whether she knew it or not, Hop idolized this woman…which is why he couldn't share his feelings with her. It was much easier to talk politics with someone who couldn't see right through you and know that something was wrong. Theirs was a connection like lava and water, mutually disarming. All he saw was fiery determination deep-rooted in warm, brown eyes. "Maybe that could work?"

"We'll try it," he declared, a newfound confidence coursing through his system. "When should I come by?"

"Nine…" she replied, holding her elbow nervously.

"…Jonathan can't know Joyce," he reminded her.

She sighed in exasperation, "Oh geez…you know, I'm not a big fan of lying to my sons Hop!"

"I'm sorry but you're gonna have to until we find her!" he exclaimed. At the sound of his own voice, Hop peered suspiciously at the cars surrounding them. "It's not safe here," his voice returned to a normal volume.

"Well what happens when we do find her Hop? What then?" Joyce prompted.

"Joyce?" Both heads turned towards the pharmacy doors. It was her manager, Donald, eyeing them questioningly. "Everything okay?" he asked, giving her an indecisive thumbs-up.

"Yeah! Just a second," she replied, returning the hand gesture. The elderly man nodded, heading inside.

"We'll figure something out. We just need to keep her hidden Joyce…they can't know."

"I know," she nodded, tapping her foot. Her hands rested on her hips. She was looking forward to her first smoke break.

"Here," he slipped his lighter into Joyce's hand. She eyed him wonderingly. It was like he knew…

"But this one's yours," she said, holding it back out to him.

"I know. My doctor says I need to quit," he stated with a small smile. "So does my secretary…you know they have nicotine chewing gum?"

"Yeah…we just got a shipment inside…" she eyed him curiously. "Are you trying to tell me something?"

"Nope!" he said, buckling his seatbelt. She could tell he was lying by that stupid smirk on his face, so she slammed the lighter onto his chest with a flat hand.

"…maybe I'll buy some," she declared before leaving the car. The lighter slipped down his chest and underneath his seat as he fumbled it.

"Have a nice day honey!" he called, desperately wanting to embarrass her. He could see her shaking her head as she pulled open the glass door and chuckled to himself. At least he had Joyce; someone who knew the real him.

To be continued…

Authors Note: Thanks for reading guys! I've been very busy as of late and couldn't upload this as quickly as I wanted to, but I felt like this exchange between Joyce and Hop needed to happen. As you can see, I ship them…a lot. Maybe even more than Mileven…hmm…

Anyway, follow for more chapters if you liked it and feel free to leave a review. Constructive criticism included! Don't be shy I promise I can take it. Keep on writing! -Nightlock