Wow I actually finished, took me only another 3 months. Sorry! Thank you for sticking with this story and supporting it. I don't know when or if I will write again due to my crazy life. I appreciate all the love I have had for my stories. Thank you!

-AnUnknownStranger

Blurriness clouded her vision as she awoke in her dimly lit hospital room. She kept her eyes fixed on the ceiling to find a sense of what had happened. Nothing was coming to mind.

She had been so deep in her mind attempting to retrieve her memory that she hadn't noticed the hand tightening around her own. Eleven looked over and saw Hopper leaned back, his eyes closed but hand remaining grasped with hers.

She smiled at the sight of her father next to her. A memory flashed in her mind of the many times she'd find him passed out in his recliner watching Miami Vice. At the time she didn't think she'd miss that. Eleven almost didn't want to disturb his slumber but also couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. The Mindflayer had deprived her of a great reunion.

Eleven grasped his hand with both of hers and gave it a squeeze. She was happy that was all it took to wake him up. A smile appeared of his tired face as he sat up. "Hey, kid." His gruff voice almost cracked with tears.

Although it pained her, Eleven leaned forward and embraced Hopper as tight as she could. "I missed you..." Eleven said gently. "I missed you too..." Hopper replied contently.

He leaned back still holding her hand. Eleven winced as she layed back down causing Hopper to frown. "You've been out for almost two weeks..." Hopper informed her. Eleven wasn't surprised by that, the memories that had begun to surface ensured that.

"You really scared me..." Hopper confessed. Eleven could see the concern in his eyes. She gave his hand a squeeze, "it's over now...we won." She assured.

He gave a gentle smile and nodded. Before he could say another word, Eleven became serious. "Jonathan?"

"He made it, he actually got released a couple days ago." Hopper said with relief. Eleven felt relief also wash over her.

"They will be happy to see you're awake. Mike has been here everyday." Hopper rolled his eyes.

Eleven didn't seem to show excitement at the sound of Mike visiting. Hopped furrowed his brows with confusion. "I thought you'd be beaming at that." He gave a short laugh.

"I killed his mom...I did terrible things to all of them. How will they ever forgive me?" Eleven's voice cracked with tears.

Hopper leaned forward. "There's nothing to forgive. That wasn't you and they know that." He said firmly.

"Then why do I feel so guilty?" She whispered.

"I think you are going to feel like that for some time. The Mindflayer used you to do terrible things to the ones you love." Hopper explained gently. "But luckily you have a brother that can help you through that." Hopper gave a small smile and wiped a tear off her cheek.

Eleven sniffed and nodded. "Will's okay?" She asked.

"He's fine and so is everyone else. They are safe because of you." Hopper replied.

"Can I see them?" Eleven asked softly. Hopper smiled. "I'll go call them." He said as he stood and left.

About a half hour later, Joyce, Will, and Jonathan entered the hospital room with smiling faces. Will was the first to run and embrace her with his good arm. Jonathan gave her a hug, followed by Joyce. "I'm so happy you're okay. You are so brave and strong." Joyce shed happy tears as she sat beside Eleven. "The others are on their way." Will informed her. Eleven took a moment to admire the family she had come to have.

Seeing Hopper and the Byers all in one room reminded that she really did win. Despite the lab and the Mindflayer telling her she was undeserving, her family proved otherwise. They proved that she could be loved.

A couple minutes later Mike and Nancy showed up. Eleven felt her heart stop and anxiety begin to rise at the sight of them. The Byers moved to the corner of the room, Hopper stood from his seat beside her and looked to her for permission. She nodded and he joined the Byers.

Eleven had expected to be greeted like a villain to Mike and Nancy for good reason but instead she saw Nancy begin to smile and walk forward.

Nancy embraced Eleven tightly without a hint of distain. Over Nancy's shoulder she could see Hopper walking out of the room with the Byers. Eleven released Nancy and began to recede. Nancy noticed and also pulled away. "How can you hug me right now? How can you even look at me?" Eleven asked with overwhelming confusion.

Nancy stepped back and knew Mike would be the best one to approach her. He sat down and held her hands. "Because we love you and that-" he held back tears. "That wasn't you. The Mindflayer was controlling you...I know you would never do that." Mike said firmly.

Eleven pulled him to her and sobbed in his shoulder. "I'm still so sorry." She cried. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I love you and nothing will change that." He could feel tears run down his cheeks as he kissed her forehead.

She leaned back as he moved to sit beside her on the edge of the bed. He held her hand and slipped the promise ring onto it. "Do I need to remind you of what this means again?" He sniffled. She shook her head and placed her hand on each side of his face. He leaned forward and kissed her gently until Nancy cleared her throat. They stopped and saw the others now standing behind her.

"You're holding up the line, Mike!" Dustin joked. Mike and Eleven gave a short laugh before he stood aside. Lucas, Max, and Dustin took turns hugging her and retelling their version of the battle. Apparently, Dustin defeated the Mindflayers army single-handedly but Lucas, Max, and Will had a different memory of that.

After a couple more days, Eleven was released from the hospital and went back to Jonathan and Nancy's apartment. Hopper was temporarily staying there too so things were a little crowded.

When their last day of vacation came, they decided to have another Christmas morning for Eleven. They all exchange some gifts that they had saved while adding a couple more for Hopper. He mainly got new clothes and a invitation to live with El and the Byers. Hopper gladly accepted it, he wasn't about to be separated from Eleven again.

Mike pulled Eleven to the side and they exchanged gifts. "I said no more gifts Mike." Eleven fought. "I promise this is the last one." He laughed.

"Fine. You open yours first." She said firmly. He smirked and began unwrapping his gift. It was a photo of the both of them Karen had taken at the Christmas dinner. Mike smiled and pulled Eleven into a tight hug. "I love it." He said softly. He pulled away and looked to her gift with anticipation.

"Why are you so excited." She laughed as she began unwrapping it.

"Let's just say, I know where to put that frame." He smirked.

She opened the box to find a single key inside. "A key?" She furrowed her brows.

"Remember that apartment we were looking at?" Mike asked with a raised brow.

"Mike you didn't!" Eleven yelled at him. Everyone turned to look at them.

"What did Mike do?" Hopper questioned.

Joyce turned Hoppers head and shook hers. He rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the gifts.

"My dad said he's paying for it until we move in. I guess he's starting to pay attention now that...anyway it's ours." He smiled.

"You realize I won't be moving back till after I graduate in a couple months?" Eleven asked curiously.

"I know, for now it'll be where Dustin, Lucas, Max, and I can hang." He shrugged.

Eleven wrapped her arms around him tightly. "I love you." She held him like at any moment he could slip away, or worse, she'd be pulled away. He was the one that brought her back and saved her from losing herself. "I love you too." He held her just as tight not wanting to ever let her go.

"Alright, Mike come show me what you got El!" Hopper waved him over.

"Oh yeah, I haven't told Hopper..." Mike informed El with a hint of fear.

"Guess it's my turn to save you." Eleven sighed and pulled him with her.