Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Stranger Things.

A/N: This chapter is angsty and there is a nasty cliff hanger. Full warning ahead for this, you NEED to brace yourselves, I nearly had a heart attack writing it.

I'm guessing that 20 chapters in, it's a lost cause to ask for a review or two. I guess I can live with knowing there's at least some of you reading through. I have really enjoyed writing this story and if you can and have the time, I would really love to hear any feedback that you have, even if it is bad. Thank you.

Chapter 20: Don't You Dare Leave Me

El awakened the following morning, to an empty space and cold sheets next to her. She had quickly grown accustom to waking up with Billy beside her, and without him there that morning, she startled awake. "Billy," she patted the bed, as her eyes adjusted to the sunlight shining through the ragged curtains. No warm body, but there was a note on the top of his pillow.

-El baby, don't be mad.

Just keeping up with our bargain, I love a good pounding in the morning.

I should be back before you're even awake.

-Billy-

"Erghh," she growled placing her pillow over her head. She could practically hear his wink. He was going to see Rob and the scoundrel waited until she was asleep. Could she even be angry with him? When he was doing it because he undeniably cared for her. Or what about the fact that she had agreed to it?

"Pfft" it had been under duress.

Not fair.

But no, she couldn't be angry.

She made her way out the bed, stretching and wiping the sleep from her eyes. The crisp morning air hit her skin unexpectedly, exploding a stretch of goose bumps from shoulder to foot. She tiptoed to the end of the bed and picked up one of Billy's button up shirts. It smelled like him, cigarettes and sweet cologne. She inhaled deeply, the scent was intoxicating, it felt safe and wild all at the same time. As she finished the remainder of buttons on the shirt, she heard the front door open and shut, followed by heavy thudding footsteps.

She raced out of the bedroom and started down the stairs, anxious and nervous as to who may had entered. "So… you mad?" He asked completely unphased.

"Not mad," she slowly hopped down the remainder of the stairs and defeatedly made her way into his arms. "Just why?" she asked placing her chin vertical to touch his.

"Respect I guess… Yours and mine." As soon as he said it was like Neil Hargrove was in his head,"What did we talk about… Respect." God, he really was his father's son.

Perhaps the part of him that made him do it was Neil Hargrove; he wouldn't allow people to touch his things. —but that other part, that other voice, that was Billy. The fearsome protector, she had his back and he had hers.

He tried to swallow the vulnerableness in his voice, but it was hopeless and El knew not to push it any further, "Did you win?" she placed a kiss on his lips before he could answer.

"Do you even need to ask?" He smirked proudly. She giggled as he swung her up over his shoulder once again, "I'm ready for my second morning pounding," he stated as he whisked her back up the stairs.

--
The day just seemed to flash by, in the blink of an eye. As the sun faded away, Billy knew it was time. It was dark now… just past seven thirty. Himself and El were supposed to meet the group for eight, in a secluded hiding place about half a mile from the lab. He hesitantly shook her, "El, you need to get up, we need to go," he kissed her nose, soaking in the moment as much as he could. This could have after all been the very last time, he ever had with her like this. Starcourt had made him painfully aware of that, they might die but at least it was for good reasons.

They made it out of house in record time, El dressed in a fitted t shirt, jeans and her red jacket. Billy always in his classic double denim. She didn't need to ask where he got three shot guns from. Her arched eyebrow must have given away her curiosity, "believe it or not, they were in the cabin," he read her mind with a smile.

They drove down that same dark unlit road as before, and of course it just had to start pissing down with rain.

As if things couldn't have been anymore lousy.

"they're already here," Billy pointed to Steve and Nancy's car. They were parked behind the planned hideaway bushes.

Making their way out of the car to collaborate with the rest of the pack, they were pleased to see that most were armed with some form of weaponry. Lucas, Mike and Dustin however had very large duffle bags hung over their shoulders, undoubtedly full of "the firepower."

Walking amongst her friends, something became very clear to El, in that moment. She was marching into battle, Billy, Jonathon and Steve were all up the front leading the pack down the road. Her, Max and Nancy were just behind. The bomb squad lagged in at back, obviously struggling to keep up with the heaviness of their parcels. They were all brave, they were willing to fight by her side. Six had told her that she would never be able to find any being, able to offer her, with what he could… If that was the case, then why was it he only came to her in subconsciousness. He had never once met her while she was conscious, why was that?

"He's afraid of me," she froze to mumble, her epiphany causing bulging eyes. "what?" Nancy asked, freezing in sync. "He's afraid of me," El spoke more clearly this time.

"Well, let me show him why he should be," with purpose she forced her way up to the front, all eyes were on her, what the hell was she doing?

She trudged through the wet gravel, ignoring the angry whispers from behind, telling her to "STOP."

She reached the gate to the lab and noticed since there last visit, it was now closed and padlocked. "Good," she thought to herself. She raised one outstretched arm and opened her hand, with little to no effort, she burst it open with one solid strike. "ARE YOU NUTS," Steve ran up to the side of her, "Now they'll know we're here!" he looked around in fear.

"Good," she smirked, "Let's go"

--
"Doctor! They're here! What do you want us to do?"

"Stick with the Plan, it will all fall into place." Doctor Brenner fiddled with his pen. "Send the guards in, Taser's only. Once she's unconscious, sedation only, I don't want her powers being interfered with at this time."

--

"El," Billy raced in behind her, "Don't be like me, try and think rationally." He pulled her arm to stop her.

"No, tired of being afraid, remember what I told you yesterday, don't let me hurt any of you." she continued to walk with purpose, her eyes were black and it caught Billy off guard.

"I also promised myself I wouldn't let anything happen to you." He stopped her again, it earned him a smile. He was relieved to see her eyes calm slightly.

"This is Bull shit! You don't give a shit about her, or anyone for that matter! I see through you… You asshole!" Mike pushed in from behind.

"Alright turbo, now is not the time," Steve held the teenager back from his apparent death wish.

Billy released a small patronising chuckle at the scene, placing a cigarette between his teeth he nonchalantly lit up. He then swung open the very same back door as the previous time he had been there. El attempted to push her way in first, but with a firm arm to her chest she was stopped. "Billy, let me through," she glanced to him with daggers.

"Um no, Harrington and I, are going in first." He exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"Alright everyone, calm down! We came here to do a job, so let's get it done. I don't know how long Will Is going to be able to stall Mrs. Byers and the chief, so let's hurry up." Steve demanded, "El, Billy and Nancy, you guys head in to close the gate, the rest of you—come with me."

"Great, the princess is coming with us," Billy rolled his eyes.

"Trust me, you'll regret saying that, she's good with a gun." Jonathon smirked over to his clearly annoyed 'girlfriend'.

"I don't know what's worse, going down into hell... or placing eighteen, homemade, combustible bombs that may explode in our faces, at any time given time… oh and... on private property." Lucas said snidely.

"Hey!" Dustin frowned, "Shut it Dingus," Max scolded, with a swat to the back of Lucas's head.

With everyone arguing and distracted, El made her dash and ducked under Billy's arm to enter. And apparently, too quick for him to grab a hold of her, he sighed at his defeat, but nevertheless, followed in behind her.

The hallways were dark, darker than last time he'd been there. El didn't need to see, she remembered where the gate was—she also remembered every hallway and every room. They all had some type of traumatic memory attached.

The trio continued down the hall, both Billy and Nancy had their fingers clutched on their shot gun triggers.

"it's down here, this is where the big one was," El gestured towards the stairwell door. Billy held her back once again, "El, would you LET me open the doors?"

"Let her do it, she's been here before…" Nancy protested.

"no one asked you for your opinion!"

"well… I feel obligated... since you're being a controlling misogynist!"

"A whata?"

Too busy bickering, the pair failed to notice the quiet and abrupt exit of El's very stealthy sneak out. "Where the fuck did she go?" Billy crinkled his eyes in shock.

--

"It's likely she's running into a trap," a voice spoke from behind, the pair quickly turned around with triggers cocked.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" Billy shouted nervously.

"I would, but it looks like you may shoot me if I do." the voice laughed condescendingly.

"You're Six, aren't you?"

"Aren't you more curious as to where your little girlfriend is? – I better not keep you, please continue," the voice faded out, echoing off the vacant walls.

"Come on," Nancy motioned Billy to follow her down the stairs, he didn't argue this time and followed her down. They leapt down the stairwell as quickly as they could, noticing that as they went further, there was not one, not two, but three dead Demogorgon's. Their necks snapped by the looks of it. "Fuck me," Billy murmured at the sight. The work could have only been El's, nothing else could have done it, so quickly or cleanly.

Following the trail of dead "dogs," they exited the stair well, into an odd room. It wasn't the same exit Billy had taken last time, this one was brighter, cleaner, a proper laboratory. He scanned the room quickly with still no sign of El, "FUCKKK," He smashed the barrel of his shotgun into the glass panel of the door. "WHERE THE HELL HAS, SHE GONE!"

"it's alright we'll find her, let's try a different one," Nancy attempted to open the now locked door.

"I can't open it," she looked back to Billy nervously. "What do you mean, move over, let me try." He gave a strong pull—but nothing, it wouldn't budge. His lack of faith in his companion caused him to receive a well-deserved eyeroll. "It was probably from your little tantrum." She huffed and moved around to seek out a new exit.

"Hey…. I can't move my arms," Nancy turned her head nervously to Billy.

"Need to lift some weights," he scoffed, before he too could no longer move any part of his body.

"What the hell is happening?" he turned back to Nancy.

--

"I'm really sorry about this, it was never my intention to bring a group of teenagers into this." Brenner stalked out from the shadows.

"Where is she!" Billy writhed his body attempting to free himself from the centripetal force, "What the hell is this shit?" he questioned aimlessly. His eyes were angry, powerful, if he'd managed to become loose, it would appear he'd wreak havoc.

"A fortunate event has unfolded itself. With Eleven's stubbornness to come back home—I've since joined forces with Six, we seem to have… come to an understanding, if you will."

"What?" Billy crinkled his brows in shock.

"Well you see, she was given the opportunity just moments ago to join us, she declined—of course. If we match the power of 'the upside down' with ones as spectacular as your girlfriends and Six's, our military, our country… even our world will be unstoppable. In case you kids failed to notice… we are in the midst of a war…. She is the perfect weapon." Brenner paced closer, if Billy had the use of his hands, he'd been able to knock the bastard clean out.

"A simple taser was enough to cripple her and once she declined, a little sedative ensured she wouldn't be…. Well…. A liability. It's funny without the use of her mind, she really is defenceless. So pure of heart, honest, loyal… Kind… no idea where she gets it." He reminisced pleasantly, running a hand through white hair.

"Sacrifices will have to be made, If we have to, which apparently we do… I'll have to take her abilities by force and Six is a happy candidate for such an act." He smirked to a red-faced Billy.

"What do you mean? By force? You better hope that this little hold you've got on me doesn't break, because I'm going to snap your neck when it does."

"Oh, well, I guess we're lucky that Six won't be releasing you anytime soon then. I suppose after this little activity, we should probably make you and all your little friends disappear. We can't have you all running back into town telling everyone tall tales, now can we? It's too bad that the… what do you call them? "Demogorgon's?" Brenner placed a finger to his lips out of thought.

"Ah yes, that was it… it's too bad that Eleven massacred all of them on her way down here. Of course, another sacrifice I had to make to distract her long enough to taser and sedate her." He chuckled. "But don't you worry, there's plenty more coming."

"YOU BASTARD." Billy fought against the invisible restraints.

"What? You're going to just kill us? People will look for us. And El, she's the sheriff's daughter… don't you think he'll be searching to the ends of the earth for her?" Nancy counter calmly, the comment snapped something in the doctor, without hesitation he marched towards her and shook her by her shoulders, "she is MY child! MINE!"

"You're nothing but a Psychotic piece of shit!" She fought forwards.

"Yes, maybe I am, but all great scientists are a little, aren't they?" he smirked proudly, then moved in to face Billy who was undoubtedly plotting his escape. "Where is El?" He hocked back a wad of spit, and with precision spat it directly into Brenner's face.

"Well doesn't that make this easier," he removed a handkerchief from his pocket. "Her name is Eleven by the way," Brenner smiled, wiping the wad off his face. "Not what I pictured for her; I really can't see the appeal."

"Six, you can come out now," Brenner shouted, never taking his eyes off of Billy's furious stare. Billy couldn't help but break the standoff when in his peripherals, his eyes met El's lifeless body. She was enclosed in a tall, young man's arms.

Six.

He was tall, blonde, with beautiful piercing green eyes and a strong jaw line. In fact, if he hadn't been a psycho, he'd been rather attractive. He held his stance boldly, not breaking his eye contact with Billy's glare, during his entire trip to the tank.

Billy watched as Six carried his precious cargo towards two large glass tanks. One was filled to the brim with what appeared to be water, the other only knees length deep. They reminded him of the ones they used at fairs and circuses. The closer the pair approached to them, the more nervous he became. "TAKE YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF HER YOU FILTHY PRICK!"

Six flashed Billy a toothy smile at his outburst, "It's the only way to force her into her void, surely you can understand that. If she does as she's told she'll survive. Just from this day forward she will no longer have her powers, they'll belong to me... or she can choose to drown." Six unapologetically continued towards the tank. Dr Brenner had followed in behind him, watching approvingly as he brought El closer towards the body of water.

"EL WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" Billy shouted furiously in vain. He screamed out obscenities and threw himself around attempting everything to free himself. He was helpless to stop it, he watched painfully as Six slowly placed her body into the full tank and closed the lid behind him.

"You'll need to restrain them, once I'm in the tank I won't be able to hold them." Six informed as he walked up the ladder to enter the other tank.

"Oh course." Brenner agreed, with a pointed finger he gestured for the muted lab technician to action the request. As the physical restraints took over control of Billy and Nancy's bodies, they felt the pull of Six weaken.

Billy's eyes made his way back over to the tank where El was. She sunk a little, her face, arms and hair just barely floating. In a matter of seconds her face sprang to life and with wide eyes, all Billy could see was panic. She pounded on the glass trying to free herself.

No, not this place, not here again, had been her very first thought.

Billy once again attempted to throw all his weight against the restraints, but nothing seemed to free him.

To El, it was the very same tank they'd used to make her open the gate. It was like some kind of nightmare, except there was no waking up. She watched as Billy thrashed and shouted trying to free himself, it was a heartbreaking sight for her to take in. Watching him, she felt more fear for him then she did for herself.

It wasn't like she didn't attempted to claw her way out, because she did. She silently screamed through the water, for someone, anyone to help her. Brenner knelt down to catch her eyes, with his. "come on Eleven, don't fight it, close your eyes for papa, this is the last time I promise. Please, I don't want to have to let you drown… please, for papa." Sheer manipulation as he caressed the glass kindly.

He then turned to the other tank to see Six who was waiting patiently for his new and what would be very strong power. "I'm sorry about this Six, unfortunately I just can't let you loose now can I? You're just far too unpredictable. I thank the both of you for your contribution and sacrifice."

"When you wake up, you'll be safe inside your cell." He looked into very confused green eyes.

"What do you mean? You said I would get the powers, then we would take over the creature?! That was the deal, I lured her here, I get her powers!" He shouted and looked to the floor to see thick gas oozing through the shallow water.

"NO!" Six angrily smashed his hands forward, attempting to use what little power he may have had left. But the sedative was quick and all he could do was mutter a few words before he fell asleep, "…you made me give up what was most precious to me, for nothing."

Meanwhile, Billy's efforts of shouting profanities and thrashing himself around, appeared to have gone unnoticed. Both him and Nancy had their hands tied above them, rope had them bound, and only a thin bar from the ceiling, held by a few screws, kept them from escaping.

No one seemed to be paying any attention to Billy's frantic vicious trouncing, no matter how loud and obnoxious it seemed to get. —Everyone except El that is, she had never taken her eyes off him. She knew in her heart that this was it, this would be the last time she laid eyes on him.

"EL!" Billy shouted again, pointlessly.

She could have easy just closed her eyes, entered her void and let her papa's machine do whatever it was to supposed to do to her-- but God knows what repercussions it would have on their world, her friends— her family.

"You're killing her!" Nancy shouted frantically, panicking against her restraints.

"Fuck this." Billy murmured, he'd benched and lifted way more weight than this ridiculous excuse of containment. There was no way they were holding him back any longer. He knew if he writhed it hard enough, he could break the entire bar free. He braced himself, flexed every muscle in his body and took a massive deep breath in--. He thought of every memory and moment that had ever made him angry, but really this one event would have been enough. He exhaled out, lunged down, and with all the force his arms, abs and legs had, the bar became free—he was free.

The sound of the bar hit the floor with a sudden 'chink', it echoed against the emptiness of the room with a persistent ringing. It was like that of the aftereffects of a grenade going off in your ear. Brenner and the technician quickly spun around, but it was too late Billy was free. He had a frightening smile across his face, his eyes once blue, were now black. He was so angry his pupils had dilated fully, giving the perception he was under possession. No it wasn't possession— it was rage, a festering wound.

Before the doctor could even reach for his taser, his face and nose made brash contact with Billy's quad. As nose and face smashed into rock-solid muscle, Brenner's vision went black. Billy finished with a final blow by grabbing the back of his white hair and smashing him face first into the solid glass of the tank.

It was all over in an instant.

The doctor laid comatose, and Billy had to fight every fibre in his body not to kick the shit out of him. But El was fading, she was barely there, still lightly tapping at the glass.

Nancy on the other hand, had freed herself the second Billy had pulled the bar down. She held the lab technician hostage, watching the door for security, that would nodoubt come barrelling through the door at any moment.

"EL!" Billy screamed as he climbed to the top of the tank to try and open the firmly closed lid.

Fuck, it wouldn't open.

He jumped down, not bothering to use the steps, picking up the bar, he smashed and smashed at the glass, it wouldn't even crack.

"FUCK! Goddamn it!" He pounded on the glass with bare fists. He saw then that her eyes were now closed and she had faded completely out.

"Billy!" A voice shouted from the door, "Stand back!" Steve came barrelling in, shot gun in hand. Without a second thought, he fired a hole into the side of tank. Taking as much care as he could to ensure no pellets would hit El's now motionless body.

The glass shattered and water flooded out, quickly Billy pushed Steve of the way to climb in to pull her out. The water poured out from the side, nearly setting him off balance, glass cut at his hands, he ignored it. He noticed as he placed her body to his chest, she felt heavy in his arms and he knew there was a good chance that he'd been too late. She'd been lifeless for minutes, submerged in the water, it would have filled her lungs. He knew from life guarding that people had drowned in less time than that.

"Get out of the way!" He shouted, placing her down atop of the tiled floor. He immediately began compressions, at first quickly and softly, but as the seconds rolled on, they became harder more forceful. He was so caught up in his mission he didn't notice, Max and Lucas make their way in, their faces mortified at the scene unfolded.

Seconds rolled into minutes and El still laid heavy. Every motion Billy made, she wiggled in sync. She was just like a 'raggedy Anne' doll, floppy, with no life in her. He's breathing became ragged and his arms became sharper and straighter, he was becoming desperate in his attempts.

"COME ON," he shouted, "DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE ME NOW, not after you forced your way in." He pounded into her chest, even harder than before, his movements appearing violent from the onlookers.

"Billy, man… stop… "she's gone." Steve placed a tender hand on his shoulder.

Billy shook him off angrily, but knew he had to give into the truth. He pulled her up into his chest, held his hand onto the back of her head, and placed her into his shoulder. He held her there, she couldn't hug him back, he knew that. With every attempt he tried, her arms fell to the floor. Silent tears streamed down his face and with them, he let out a blood curdling scream.

don't you dare leave me.

A/N: I AM SORRY OKAY. I know it's BAD, don't hate me.

I am working on the next part as I am typing this.

I have anxiety over this, and I know how it ends.

Also, if anyone is interested in how Billy dealt with Rob and what fully happened to El in the alley way, please let me know, I was considering writing a one shot.