Damn this chapter felt long. I'd say this is a pretty interesting chapter, how does one adjust after being in an alternate dimension for a year? -An Unknown Stranger.

Mike, Eleven, and Hopper stepped through the gate and onto the tile flooring of the lab.

As their eyes adjusted to the light, they were met with rifles aimed at their fragile forms. Hopper stepped in front of them, pistol in hand. He pulled off his mask and tossed it the floor as he kept eye contact with Brenner.

Brenner kept his eyes on Eleven and ignored Hopper. "Eleven." He smiled.

His voice made Eleven's body tense. Mike felt her grip his wrist and her head sink into his shoulder. Mike despised Brenner for the pure fear he gave Eleven and wanted nothing more than to rid the earth and Eleven of him.

"Eleven, come here now." He said sternly.

She flinched at his tone and felt a part of her being compelled to listen. Hopper raised his gun and aimed it at Brenner. "Don't ever speak to her like that again." He scowled.

"You know our deal, Jim. It doesn't matter what I do to Eleven. Give her to me and you get your daughter." Brenner stated.

Hopper looked to Mike and Eleven to give them a reassuring look. He turned back to Brenner with a sternness in his eyes. "Let me see her first." He ordered.

"That wasn't part of the deal." Brenner replied.

"This is a new deal. Take it or you sure as hell aren't getting her." He argued.

Brenner turned to a guard before giving a nod. The soldier left and returned moment later accompanied by a young woman.

She kept her eyes down and moved her hands nervously. Hopper felt his heart stop at the sight of her. "Sara..." his voice cracked.

She looked from the floor to his saddened eyes. "Dad..." she replied brokenly.

Mike and Eleven observed with worry etched on their faces. Eleven stepped away from Mike and to Hopper's side with eyes full of grief. "That isn't your daughter." She revealed.

Hopper furrowed his brows and turned to El. "How would you know that?" He asked firmly.

Eleven felt a pang of guilt at his upset tone. "She's confused and is saying what they told her to say." Eleven said firmly.

Hopper felt tears form in his eyes because he knew Eleven wouldn't lie. "She's someone else's daughter." Eleven added.

As soon as he turned back to Brenner he realized that no words had been spoken, at least verbally. The room was still silent and everyone around shared a same confusion. It took a couple moments for Brenner to realize what had happened.

"Amazing. You spoke to him telepathically." Brenner gaped.

Eleven had no clue what telepathy even meant but she knew Brenner would only want her more. Before he could say another word, she forced every man before her back into a wall.

They immediately took their chance to start running from Brenner and the bad men. Footsteps echoed through each hall they rounded. A part of Eleven wished it was the old lab so she would know where the exit was.

As they continued to run, Hopper and Eleven heard a thud close behind them. They quickly turned back and found Mike and the floor attempting to stand again. El and Hopper ran to his side and began to pick him up but before they could do so, they heard the familiar click of several guns.

"You shouldn't have stopped." A soldier sneered.

They froze and gripped Mike with worry in their eyes.

"Eleven...come with me and I will let Micheal and Hopper leave safely. This is my last offer." Brenner stated as he walked forward.

Eleven turned to Mike and Hopper only to be met with stern faces. "Don't." Hopper said firmly.

"I'll take care of them. Get him out of here." She spoke to Hopper directly. Mike looked between the two of them and began to panic.

"El-"

"You need to trust me..." she said softly. He gave a soft nod and wiped away tears quickly.

"What did you tell him?" He asked Eleven firmly. He felt himself get pulled up by Hopper despite his efforts to stay with Eleven.

"No...no, El!" He began to reach for her but felt Hopper's tight embrace. He began to punched Hopper's shoulder in fury. "Let me go! You can't leave her!" He screamed.

Hopper continued to walk without another word as he followed guards out of the lab. Eleven turned to Brenner with a clenched fist.

"That was easier than I thought it would be." He sighed as he stepped toward her.

Before he could take another step, every guard beside him fell to the floor dead, blood dripping down their mouth and ears.

Brenner froze, hands clasped beside his back in disapproval. She had never seen fear on Brenner's face. Everything that she did to try and instill fear in him only brought him amazement or disappointment. It was sickening.

"I guess you had a lot of time to strengthen your powers in the Upsidedown." He smiled.

"No, actually. I wasn't in the Upsidedown the whole time and I didn't always have my powers." She informed.

He furrowed his brows in confusion.

"You threatened my family...I'll do anything to protect them. Anything." She said firmly.

"I can see that." He smirked as he observed her work.

She lifted a gun from the floor and grasped it. She then pressed it to Brenner's chest with eyes full of pure anger and frustration.

"You can't do it. Through all the years in the lab you cannot deny that I cared for you. I raised you like my own." Brenner explained.

"You have a strange way of showing it. You only brought me fear and pain." She shot back.

He smiled. "You aren't that scared little subject anymore are you?"

"No...I'm not." She replied before pulling the trigger. A shot rang through the hall before Brenner's body collided with the floor. She dropped the gun beside him and walked toward the exit that Hopper and Mike had used.

When she left the lab, she frowned being met with darkness. One of things she had impatiently waited on the most was the sunlight. She was instead met with the night and would have to wait until morning.

She approached Hopper as he leaned against a van. When he saw her, he pushed himself off the van and quickly walked toward her. As soon as she was in reach, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

He heard her soft sniffles and pressed his chin to the top of her head. He knew her relationship with Brenner was a complicated one. As evil as he was, it wouldn't be easy for her to kill him.

"Someone's waiting in the car for you. I managed to calm him down a little." Hopper informed.

She pulled away and wiped her tears. "That's my girl." Hopper smiled and kissed her forehead.

She gave a small smile before walking toward the van. She opened the sliding door and felt her heart ache at the sight of Mike. His eyes were puffing and his hands trembled as he messed with his shoelaces silently. A few sniffles only escaped his throat.

He turned to the door and held no hesitation in running to Eleven. He jumped out of the van and pulled her to his chest tightly. "I thought you-"

"No...I killed him." Her voice cracked.

A part of Mike rejoiced at the news while the other part grieved for her. As sick as Brenner was, he made Eleven who she was.

He pulled back and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. He then placed his forehead against her's and spoke quietly. "You did the right thing. Now that he is gone, we can live a peaceful life." He assured.

She smiled and placed her arms around his neck. "I love you." She replied softly.

"I love you too..." he smiled.

Hopper interrupted the moment. "Alright, I have some people who really can't wait to see you." Hopper informed as he walked to the drivers side.

Eleven and Mike took a seat in the van and anxiously awaited their return home. As they drove Hopper peered back at them and found them in each other's arms at they silently spoke to one another.

"How are you two feeling?" He asked worriedly.

"My leg hurts and everything feels a little weird." Mike informed.

"What do you mean weird?" Hopper raised a brow.

"Everything's louder than usual and I'm just super hungry and thirsty." Mike replied.

"Same." Eleven added.

Hopper pondered. "The hungry and thirsty part makes sense. I don't know why everything's louder." Hopper explained.

"Maybe it was because we were in a dimension where we couldn't hear anything." Mike suggested to Eleven.

"You were what?" Hopper asked with a stunned expression.

"It's a long story...rather only tell it once. To clarify, the dimension we were in had no sound. We could only hear each other." Mike explained.

Hopper nodded slowly, his guilt only rising. "I'm sorry I didn't find you guys sooner. Six damn months and I only found you through Brenner." He scowled.

Eleven and Mike shared a horrified expression. "Did you say six months?" Mike stuttered.

"Yes...the Upsidedown is different though. It might of felt like maybe seven months." Hopper explained softly.

Before Mike could speak, Eleven grasped his hand and shook her head. Hopper had heard enough to nearly drive him over the edge. She didn't want to continue to push him. Mike understood and kept silent.

When they arrived at the cabin, they exited the van hand in hand. It felt strange not being alone in a world. Not having silence or complete health. The real world would take some adjustment.

"You can sleep in my bed tonight, Mike. I'll take the couch. I'll call your parents in the morning to tell them the good news." Hopper informed as he opened the door.

Was it good news? His parents were expecting their son back but it wouldn't be the same one they lost. Mike was older and damaged, as much as he'd like to deny it. Eleven most likely felt the same with Hopper.

Hopper layed down on the couch and fell asleep quickly. It didn't take long for Eleven to wander over to Mike and tell him to sleep beside her. He happily agreed and fell asleep with her peacefully in his arms. Some things they wished would never change.