Hopper brought all of them back to his cabin in the woods where they could keep Will from knowing where they were and that also meant the Mind Flayer wouldn't know.

Erica stayed on the sidelines, helping where she could, while they used heat like Owens suggested to bring the piece of the beast out of Will.

Their mission wasn't without issues when Demogorgans stormed the house. Erica and the kids moved into position to fight them off while Hopper and Joyce worked on helping Will so they could find a way to destroy the entire place.

"What kind of weapons do we have?" Erica asked as she helped Steve, Jonathan, and Nancy move things to barricade the front door and the windows.

Dustin jumped into action and began passing out slingshots and other homemade tools they could use to buy Will more time. Jonathan grabbed some tools from the kitchen that would pack a little more punch than the other items for when the beasts busted through their obstacles. Somehow, Steve found a chainsaw.

Lucas, Mike, and Max created an inner-perimeter while Erica, Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan protected the outer circle. They were all waiting through the banging going on all around the small cabin.

Steve looked around the room and gave the group a reassuring nod, "We've got this, guys."

Jonathan rolled his eyes, "You didn't see what these things are capable of like we did at the lab. It's not gonna be pretty if they get through."

"Ok guys," Nancy interjected, "How about we find a happy medium between overly-confident and pessimistic?"

"I second that," Erica added just as the door burst open and a Demogorgon was in their midst.

Steve jumped into action before anyone could make a move, or even think to. He revved his chainsaw and cut through the creature's flower petal-like head as if it was something he did every day.

Erica backed up in horror and amazement as the monster's head rolled off onto the ground while its body fell where it stood.

Before any of them had a chance to celebrate more of them appeared, all of the beasts coming for Will. They did their best to fight all of them off with some of them, including Erica, earning small wounds.

The group was losing their ground when a sudden burst of energy emerged from out of nowhere and destroyed all of the Demogorgans in sight leaving the entire group looking at each other with shock on their faces.

Hopper came out of the back, "Will is out of the woods. How are things going out here?"

"There were a bunch of monsters but something just killed them all in one blow," Nancy explained, still confused.

Hopper was about to ask a follow-up when a girl showed up at the doorway. She was wearing a leather jacket with matching gloves, jeans, and her hair slicked back.

"El?" Hopper asked, "I thought you'd run away," he confessed.

Mike moved forward, "Is it really you?"

The girl, who Erica assumed was named El or something like it, nodded but looked back at Hopper.

"Take me to the lab," the girl ordered, "I have to end this and I'm the only one who can."

Hopper started to shake his head but then he saw the intent deep within her eyes and nodded in agreement instead, turning to tell Joyce he was leaving.

When Hopper came back out to leave with El, Erica grabbed his elbow to earn his attention, "Get Owens out of there in one piece, please," she pleaded.

Hopper inclined his head, "I will do my very best but you do like he said and wait here where you're safe."

After what felt like a million years, Hopper returned with El but not Owens. Erica walked towards him, alarm all over her face, "He didn't make it, did he?" the pain was visible in her voice as it had been growing while she was waiting.

"He was injured," Hopper replied, "They put a pretty nasty gash in his thigh but he's ok and if you'd like, I'll take you to see him at the hospital," he offered.

Erica could only nod, completely overwhelmed.

Hopper led her to his Bronco and drove her to Hawkins General and walked her to Owens' room.

"He's gonna be fine," Hopper reassured her, "Do you want me to go in with you?"

Erica shook her head as she left his side and stepped into the room to see Owens laying back in his hospital bed, asleep. She sat down on the edge of the bed and laid her hand on top of his, inhaling deeply with relief after spending the last few hours worried she might never see him again.

Owens woke a little while later to find Erica passed out on his chest causing him to smile at the sight. He stirred just enough to wake her as gently as possible.

She sat up and a tear rolled down her cheek.

He wiped it away, "What was that for? I'm ok, just like I promised," he soothed, wrapping his arm around her waist wishing he had the strength to hold her in his arms. He also knew he was going to have to cause more tears before their reunion was over.

"I was just so worried," she confessed lifting her arm to rest her hand on his chest and wincing.

"Are you ok?" he asked concern washing over his face.

She held in a small laugh, "You sent me away to keep me safe but those things came after us to get to Will. One got my upper arm but it's nothing compared to what they did to you," she shared.

He placed his hand on top of hers, "I'm glad you're alright but I'm afraid I have some bad news," he began knowing it was better to rip off the bandaid instead of waiting.

Erica felt her eyes starting to tear up again, "They're moving you, aren't they? How long do we have?"

Owens shook his head wishing he didn't have to answer her question but he took a deep breath and spoke, "In an hour. I'm being moved to one of the facility's hospitals and then I'll be stationed at a new office once I've healed," he revealed, his heartbreaking as he watched the tears start to escape her eyes. He struggled to sit up but managed and pulled her into his arms, laying her head on his shoulder.

"I wish I could take you with me but you and I both know that's not possible," he said after they'd sat in silence for a while.

Erica sat up, her tear-stained face tearing him apart, "I understand. I just wish we had more time," she shared, "Do we even try something long-distance?" she asked, her bottom lip quivering as she spoke.

Owens shook his head, "I will have barely any access to the outside world which means we'd barely be able to speak and, if I'm being honest, those small amounts might make this all hurt more," he confessed.

"I agree with you," she answered holding back her sobs because she wanted to enjoy her time with him as much as she could, "I'm just going to lay in your arms until they take you away, does that work for you?" she forced a smile.

He did the same with a nod, "As long as there are a few kisses scattered into that time," she revealed his own conditions.

Erica leaned forward and placed her lips to his, soaking up as much of him as she could in the time they had left.