The Pixie in Black

Mike was having a nightmare. In it, his best friend Will had died in an accident.

He woke up. And realized in a panic that it might have been a nightmare, but waking up hadn't fixed it. He was living the nightmare. His best friend was… gone.

He could smell Eleven's baby fresh scent, his faced was pressed against her neck.

"Eleven? What are you doing here? I don't understand."

"My boyfriend was in pain. He needed me. Nothing was going to stop me from coming back."

Mike cried into her neck. Where did this angel come from and why was she with him?

"Thanks Eleven," his arms slipped around her waist. "Are you in pajamas?"

"I am Mike, I'm sleeping with you tonight, not that sleeping…"

He told her he would never take advantage, he knew he didn't have to. Eleven trusted him and said as much.

Mike was not in the right frame of mind to say what he said next, but he felt that it was the right thing, still he was scared and a little worried "Eleven, I… I…"

"What is it Mike?"

He felt needy, he knew how it was going to sound. "I don't want to scare you away..."

"Scare me away? There is nothing you can say that will scare me away Mike." He felt her pulling and hugging him tighter to her neck.

"I love you Eleven."

"I love you too, Mike. So much it hurts."

He made a move to get out of bed, "I'll sleep on the floor in my sleeping bag."

"No."

"No?"

"You are sleeping in my arms tonight. I don't want to be anywhere that you aren't. I meant it, I am sleeping with you tonight."

Mike snuggled into Eleven's neck, breathed a contented sigh and fell asleep.

XXXX

The band 11 is rehearsing for the Not So Pretty tour. At the time of this writing RMM does not have a location.

- Rock Music Magazine

Due to 11's recent musical shift, Pop Music Magazine will not longer be giving them the coverage they have enjoyed. It's not like they need it. Our sister publication Rock Music Magazine will be covering the band in detail.

- Pop Music Magazine

XXXXX

Mike woke up groggy from the night's sleep. He was spooning Eleven. His arm was around her waist, sis face pressed up against the back of her neck.

"I want to wake up like this every day," he whispered into her ear.

"People will talk." she gave him a quiet giggle.

"Let them talk."

Eleven turned over in place to look into his eyes.

"Eleven, I shouldn't ask you this but will you come with…" She silenced him by giving him a soft kiss.

"Yes, I'll go with you to Will's funeral Mike. I will be there for you.."

Eleven was a dressed in a plain black dress with a black hat and heavy black veil. She held on to Mike's hand tightly.

They were only a minute or so into the service when she turned to Mike crying, "I can feel everyone's pain."

She cried on his shoulder through the whole service. He was more worried about her than he was himself. He had done all his crying yesterday and last night in her arms. She had saved his sanity. He knew he would be ok with her at his side.

After the service, they walked slowly back to her dad's truck. Hopper gave Mike a respectful nod, and Mike could see him look with concern towards Eleven. Mike nodded back that she was ok, and he could see the relief in the Chief's face.

Later in Mike's basement she sat quietly curled up against him wearing her jeans and plaid shirt. He loved that simple, pretty look she always had when she wore them.

"I've never been to a funeral before." Eleven said in a low voice.

"That was my second. My aunt died a few years ago. We weren't really close to anybody on my dad's side of the family. It wasn't like this one was.. I'm sorry you felt so bad out there."

"Don't worry about me Mike. I get… emotional… a lot. Maybe you noticed."

He chuckled quietly, "I think people thought you were his sister or something. I could tell everyone felt sorry for you."

"Don't you worry about me."

"I just want to take my mind off this." he sighed.

"I can help you with that...," she smiled, "it's time we started rehearsing the stage show for album tour... " she cast her eyes down, "and I promise… you won't meet El Hopper again. With this new sound, we are stuck for ideas for the new stage show."

"I have some ideas, I think you're really going to like them."

"But… remember I told you that I was going to be busy for a few weeks?"

"Ugh, I can barely stand not seeing you for a day, holding out for a month is going to be impossible."

"I'll be over every evening Mike, and I just want to do this. Be with you. No music, a little talking, lot's of kissing. Does that sound like a good way to spend the next month?"

"Yeah… you're not going to tell me what you're up to during the day are you?"

"No, it's a surprise. I'll tell you when I'm done, ok? Speaking of surprises." Eleven reached over the side of the sofa and pulled up up a bag, this is for you."

He pulled out the LP from the bag, Eleven was clutching his hand tightly. He knew why when he looked at the cover.

It was a close up of her crying, "I'm such an ugly crier, I told Lucas to take a picture of me crying during the session, we all knew, well, except for you of course… we all knew I would break down at some point. The original name of the album was Ugly Cry…. but then when you said 'not so pretty' I liked that as a title better… please Mike, don't cry."

It was too late, he couldn't control his sobbing, "I'll never make you cry like that again Eleven, I promise."

"It's ok Mike, really, it is. Something positive came out of this experience, for me personally, and for the band… and I'd like to think for you …"

He was sniffling and nodded, "Eleven, how did you get this? I thought the album wasn't released yet?"

"The Japanese record executives aren't like they are here. They get what they say they'll do, done and usually ahead of schedule. This was a gift for the band, a respectful appreciation for accepting and signing a touring contract there. We had to do a little re-negotiation now that you are in the band, but we will be touring there. It's a big coup for any western band to be touring Japan..."

"Um, there's a song on here I don't remember doing in the studio… oh… Eleven.. Not So Pretty…. I…" He couldn't help crying again… it was getting easier to cry these days, "I wish I'd never said that to you. I feel like shit."

"Don't Mike, it inspired a love song… it's my apology to you. That's two positive things that came out of knowing you."

"That's why you went back to the studio?"

She nodded. "Yes, and..., there is crying in the song… it's real, but don't take it so hard ok? I've already been told they are going to release the song as a single, kind of an offset to the slower and louder version of Make War Not War."

"I have a quick meeting with Max, Dustin, and Lucas, tomorrow morning, and then we are coming over here for a training session."

"A training session?"

"We are going to teach you how to be famous."-