Returning to the kitchen, Steve shook his head. "They're going to kill all of us," he predicted, nodding his head towards Robin and Nancy, still wiping away tears in the other room.

Jonathan looked up from the pot of spaghetti he'd been stirring. "You're surprised?" he asked with a small smirk.

Rather than responding, Steve took a seat at the bar. He gazed over at Jonathan, his expression tight and pensive. "No, I'm not surprised," he muttered quietly. Then, with a louder voice, he said, "Look, I didn't just ask you in here to help me cook."

"Figured as much," Jonathan said, not looking away from the pot.

"I mean-after the first incident with the demogorgon, I kind of thought everything would go back to normal. And that I wouldn't really have to talk to you ever again," Steve said, waving his hands around as he began to clean off the counter. "No offense."

"None taken. I hoped the same."

"But after the second time, with the demodogs and all that, I just...I realized that this is kind of my life now. And that I was going to have to get along with you because you were just as tightly wrapped up in all this as I was. Even more so." Steve lowered his head, hands massaging the bridge of his nose. "But I couldn't force myself to say anything to you."

"Because of Nancy," Jonathan finished, his tone soft and understanding.

Steve nodded. "Yeah. Because I was angry. Not-not at either of you guys. But it just hurt too much."

"I'm sorry."

Holding up his hands, Steve said, "Don't be. I'm over it. That's why I feel like I can talk to you now without throwing something."

"Reassuring," Jonathan muttered.

"Look," Steve said. "I-I know I was a douchebag to you for all of High School. The things I said to you in the alley that day after the whole 'slut' incident...they weren't OK. But I was angry and hurting and you were the most natural thing for me to take it all out on. I did try to apologize. But then…"

"Then the demogorgon came and kind of ruined everything."

"Exactly."

"I guess I should apologize, too," Jonathan said. "For generally being a creep and...everything with Nancy. I'm sorry that I made you hate me."

Steve shook his head. "I've never hated you. I mean, sure, there have been plenty of times that I've wanted to kick your teeth in. Once I heard about you and Nancy, I went home and broke my mom's heirloom vase. But it was never really about you." He ran a hand through his voluminous locks. "It was more about me. Back in high school, I was terrible. I didn't really care about anybody except myself. Nancy changed that in me."

Jonathan smiled. "She has a way of bringing out the best in people."

Steve grinned too. "Yeah." He turned and placed a hand on Jonathan's shoulder. "Look. What I wanted to say was...no hard feelings. I want to put the past behind us. Because it isn't about which of us deserves Nancy. It's about who makes her happy. And you make her happy like I never could."

"Thanks," Jonathan said with a nod. "For the record, I didn't hate you either. Just didn't like you or bother to get to know you. You were in the vast majority. I've got issues, in case you haven't noticed."

Laughing, Steve picked up the pot of spaghetti off the stove and started walking towards the dining room. "Don't we all, man?"

Jonathan smiled and followed him out to find Robin and Nancy talking with the kids. While the tone was hushed, there wasn't any worry or urgency in the way they spoke. It seemed to be just an average conversation. Something they hadn't all had in...well, forever, it seemed. Though they knew it had only been around a day since Mike and Nancy had burst through Dustin's front door.

"Spaghetti and Apple Taters are up," Steve called, placing the pot on the table. "Where are the plates and silverware?"

Dustin grimaced. "Oops," he said with a nervous chuckle. "I forgot to set them."

"Well go get them set now, Henderson," Steve commanded, gesturing to the kitchen. "And next time do what you're asked the first time."

"OK, Mom," Dustin said, rolling his eyes.

Once the whole table was set, everyone came and helped themselves. Even Mike and Nancy, whose mother was known in the PTA for her spaghetti recipe, had to admit that Steve's skills in the kitchen were surprisingly impressive.

"This is great. Thanks, Steve," Lucas said, chowing down on a large mouthful.

Glancing at Jonathan, Steve smiled. "Thanks, Big L. But it was definitely a team effort."

Just as the silence of enjoying a good meal settled upon them, there was a loud knock at the door. Everyone looked at each other, a sudden cloud of tension dropping upon them. Nancy finally stood and walked towards the door, her hand straying to the enormous kitchen knife she'd slid into her belt.

When she pulled open the door, she jumped back in surprise and fear. The kids at the table behind let out gasps, choked noises, or wails of despair. Steve and Robin shared a slightly confused glance, while Jonathan looked as though he were about to pass out.

Joyce Byers stood in the frame, practically shaking with anger.

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I'M SO SORRY I'VE BEEN ON HIATUS FOR SO LONG. My computer totally fried and I was trying my best to fix it. Sadly, it's completely broken and I won't get a new one for a few weeks. So it's going to be a while before I upload again! I have a solid plan for the rest of the story, though. Thanks for you guys' patience!