-Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Stranger Things

A/N: The one took me a few days to put together, I had some mild writers block, but I think I've come out of it now :) hope you guys like this one.

Chapter 13: "006".

"I'm really looking forward to hearing your explanation 'gentleman'… please don't jump all at once." Dr Brenner stated mockingly, as he passed down the line of his guilty men.

"Well you see... it's like this—" A guard stuttered nervously, before an annoyed Dr Cohen pushed in to intervene.

"We've been keeping him heavily sedated when we haven't been performing the trials, but it appears that this evenings sedative was missed due to the breach of security." Cohen explained calmly, his face was unapologetic, and he had meant it that way.

"Do you have any idea how catastrophic it could have been if he had escaped with them?" Dr Brenner question judgementally.

"His telekinesis is far weaker than 011's Dr—" Cohen challenged weakly.

"Yes, but what about his teleportation! It's appears to be growing stronger doesn't it? Not only did he manage to sense her fear and locate her- but he also managed to get himself in and out-- unharmed—." Brenner scolded angrily at his team of 'would be idiots.'

"Well, perhaps you weren't correct when you said that we have full control of all of the subjects… We can't possibly be in complete control of something, if we don't even know its full capabilities, can we?" He questioned more confidently this time, leaving Brenner to think of a retaliation to his statement.

"… you had mentioned that 006 should only be able to find individuals that he has met before…. If that is the case, then… 011-- she knows him then? She will come back looking for him, will she not?" Cohen asked wearily.

"I doubt that she would remember him-- it was too long ago now, but—Is she did come back looking for him, it would save us having to find her." Brenner said wickedly.

"What are you thinking doctor?" Cohen asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing that concerns you…" Brenner growled,

"Just keep looking for them! Standing around here asking me meaningless questions isn't getting us anywhere is it? Have you checked the cabin?" Brenner questioned; his voice now raised to a subtle shout.

"Yes, they aren't there, we can't just go around looking for them, we will raise too many suspicions within the town, they're already going to be asking questions about the sheriff's whereabouts--"

"Well let's hope he thinks of a great alibi then." Brenner stated carelessly, walking towards the door to dismiss himself.

"Oh, and Doctor…—we better hope that she doesn't make her way back here… we were unable to readminister the drug PBA, which will mean that her powers will be back in full strength within a matter of days. – God help us, if she makes her way back here with a vengeance."

--

"Are they following us?" Max asked nervously as she attempted to peel her eyes from the road.

"Hey! Watch where you're driving!" Billy sneered from the backseat, completely powerless to stop the red head's erratic driving. Somehow during their quick getaway, he had managed to pin himself underneath El's lifeless frame.

"Well if you don't like it, I can pull over and you can drive?" Max responded to him snidely.

Meanwhile hopper sat on the other side of the car, letting out a deep groan of pain every so often reminding everyone that he had been shot, but was still alive.

"You shouldn't even be driving Maxine! You don't even have a licence!" He spat angrily, secretly hoping she wouldn't call him out on his bluff, the bluff being that he was exactly where he needed to be at that moment. He never thought in a million years that there would be anything in the world that would make him allow his step sister to drive his car, but as he felt El heavy against his chest he realised that there was nothing that would have been able to peel him away from her.

Nothing.

"Stop it you two! We need to stay cool; we all could have just died back there! –AGAIN. As if the first two times weren't enough.—" Steve shouted angrily.

"We need to stick with the plan and work together, alright?" He added responsibly, turning to the pair individually to acknowledge their cooperation. The silence in the car told him that they both were in agreeance.

Billy was quickly distracted from his anger as he gazed down at the exhausted girl who was now resting into him. She was still beautiful; no amount of blood smearing could ever prevent that… It amazed him how someone could possess so much power, but yet still be so fragile, she had so many strengths, yet so many weaknesses. He wanted to shield her away from all the things that had hurt her, protect her from all the bad and evil that just seemed to be lurking around every corner waiting for her.

She could bring an entire room to its knees, open portals and set him straight back into line. -- But just as easily be as defenceless as a lamb in a lion's den; the extremes happening in only a matter of minutes, sometimes even seconds.

There was something that the pair shared; a need. This need that was found from within each other, strengths that each possessed, that seemed to pull the other out of their lowest point. She'd done it plenty of times for him, at stargate she'd shown him the light when all he could see was darkness and despair. And today—she needed him. He couldn't deny her that and for once he didn't try to.

He was going to be there,

The short time that they had spent apart from each other had put a lot of things into perspective for him, the cliché phrase 'you never know that you had, until you've lost it' came to his mind, before he quickly smashed that nonsense to smithereens.

He'd risked his life twice now for her, without looking back or even questioning himself as to why-- to him it had always been unquestionable. But what the hell did that mean? What did all these thoughts mean?

"Is she waking up yet?" Max asked peering back again, ignoring Billy's previous outburst.

"No, she's been out too goddamn long-- there's blood all over her face, I don't even know where it's coming from--… we need to get her to a hospital, she's probably blown a hole in her brain or something--" Billy said adamantly, as he shifted nervously in his seat.

Picking up on Billy's protective tone, Steve turned in his seat to see him, only to smirk at his now vulnerable position. They were without a doubt very comfortable.

"I didn't picture you to be the cuddling type, 'Hargrove'" Steve snickered, his comment causing Max to whip her head back around to see too, she thought about snapping at him for curling up so close to her friend, but was distracted by the disturbing sight of El's face.

"She always gets a bloody nose when she uses her powers, but yeah-- there is a lot more blood there than usual-- I've never seen it come from her ears like that before. Mike will probably--"

"Wheeler can just fuck off." Billy interrupted in a growl, provoking a moan from a waking El.

"Look, there's Nancy, pull over, we'll get her and Mike to take Hop to the hospital, it'll attract less attention—then we'll head up to my grandfathers old house- no one in my family goes there anymore, plus it's way out in the middle of nowhere. You can't go back to Hoppers cabin, there's a pretty good chance that they will know to look there for her." Steve explained as Max pulled the car over to meet their friends.

"I left a message on the Byers answering machine, but I'm not sure if they have gotten it yet and I guess they won't know about Hop…" Max added as they began to get out of the car.

"PLEASE tell me you found them?" Nancy asked anxiously, as her and Mike quickly made their way out of the car.

"Yeah we got them-- but you and Mike are going to need to get Hopper to the emergency ASAP; he's losing a lot of blood…" Steve strained to say as he attempted to pull hopper out of the back seat.

"Wouldn't want you to strain your perfect little muscles—" Billy murmured with an already lit cigarette between his teeth as he shoved him out of the way to take over.

"She was right— I can't believe she went in there after him." Mike said astonished, as his eyes roamed around searching for his old flame.

"Where the hell is, she!" He questioned angrily sprinting over towards Billy's car, his demeaner so heavy he appeared to be ready to rip the door off its hinge.

"Woah, you little shit, I don't think so." Billy said deeply, seizing Mike with one hand on his shoulder, not evening straining enough to remove his cigarette from his teeth.

"Get off me Dickwad!" Mike shouted back, shaking him off agitatedly,

"What'd you call me? –"Billy asked, with blackened eyes, yanking Mike towards his face so he could see the 'crazy' in them, he was more than ready to teach the 'little shit' some respect, before a hand grasped at his shoulder.

"Let him go—and calm the hell down." Steve demanded, Billy only smirked snidely and casually released a cloud of smoke into Mike's face.

"Touched by an angel today Mikey." He said smiling, as he licked his lips menacingly.

"Get in the car Mike, I've got to get you home before mom freaks out." Nancy said impatiently, already opening the passenger side of the car for him to get in.

"Are you SERIOUS? You're going to leave El with him? He's a psycho, he nearly killed Steve, or has everyone just forgotten that?" Mike protested amongst the silent group.

Who is this little shit? Thinking that he's calling the shots around here?

Like where the hell had he been during all the action?

If he wasn't careful, he was going to be schooled and Billy had a notorious streak for breaking things when he got angry.

"Well it's not just him numb nuts, so calm the hell down alright, me, Dustin, Max and Lucas are all going to be there, and Mrs Byers will probably be down STAT as well. SO, don't just get your shorts in a twist." Steve reasoned with a hand on his shoulder.

"I can't believe this…" Mike said helplessly as he ran his hands down his face out of frustration.

"Let's not forget, he went in there after her, he might be a dick to the rest of us, but for some unknown weird ass reason, he's not to her." Steve said before continuing to rant…

"She's weak Mike and if anything happens, she's going to need a little muscle to protect her…. Plus, he's the only one who doesn't have a curfew. So, would you just—"

"Stop fighting--." A weak voice said from afar, creating a pause in the groups bickering.

"El!" Mike shouted frantically.

"I don't want you to fight." She stated more clearly this time, using her last bit of energy to lean up against the car door for balance, she appeared rattled, her face was bloody, and her clothes were soiled and tatty, but yet she still appeared to be holding her own.

"Get in the car El, we're going." Billy said assertively, gesturing to her to get back in.

"You can't just order everyone around!" Mike shouted angrily once again.

"Would you just go and take the sheriff to the hospital and stop being such a little pric-." Billy had begun saying, before a mini shockwave sent the two whipping backwards, shocking the pair to look back at her.

"I said. Stop. —" El demanded coldly as she fell exhaustedly into the car door.

At lightening pace, Billy rushed to her side to stop her from planting her face into the gravel.

"well that was smart wasn't it, like you're not already fucked—" He scolded coldly, leading her back into the car.

"Maybe I'm bad at words too," she muttered under her breath,

Oh yes, there it is. – she's still mad. Of course, she's still mad. You made her think there was something there and then said you were going on a date with someone else. Right after telling her that your shitty attitude would never change.

--Well maybe it will never change.

What were you expecting?

—Maybe she would forget.

How can she forget all the shitty things you've done, when everyone keeps reminding her?

"COME ON MIKE. LET'S GO." Nancy said even more impatiently, her unease finally breaking the group up into their appropriate arrangements.

"I swear to God Max, you ever try to drive my car again and I will unleash hell onto you." Billy stated coldly as he began driving the car in the direction of their next destination.

--

"How much further are you going to take us into the middle of Goddamn nowhere Harrington?" Billy snidely asked, as he looked towards his navigator.

"You know what, if you keep being such an asshole, I'm just going to stop directing all together." Steve answered offendedly, creating a classic eye roll from his front seat companion.

Max and El sat quietly in the backseat, questions overwhelmed Max's mind, but as she looked over to observe her friend she could see she was struggling to even keep her eyes open, so she refrained from bombarding her, meanwhile Billy was struggling with the same affliction but had decided that the questions he had for El were a private matter, he would discuss them once they were alone… That was of course if they ever arrived where Steve was apparently taking them.

"Turn here!" Steve pointed anxiously, almost grasping the wheel to turn it himself.

"Oh, thanks for the warning, dipshit," Billy sneered again, shaking his head with annoyance.

"-- I haven't been here since I was probably about six, so do you mind giving me a break?" He muttered defensively.

"There it is, the ole' Harrington summer house." Steve said with a proud grin on his face, his statement prompted the rest of the group to peer out the windows to take a closer look at their new accommodation.

The house was elaborate in comparison to the average summer cabin, it was a double story, had a massive veranda that wrapped all the way around it and without a doubt would have had at least five bedrooms inside. Putting aside the paint that had worn off over the years and what appeared to be a broken window or two, it would work perfectly for the group's needs.

"Wow." Max said from the back. "It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be." Her tone giving away that she was impressed.

"Yeah, well I had a lot of good times in this place and now…. Well, I suppose there's a first time for everything." Steve replied with a deflated tone.

"Come on, let's get inside…but— becareful, Dustin's been setting up booby traps for hours now, God knows what's around the front." He added almost chuckling.

"Trip wire." El said softly as she attempted to get herself out of the backseat.

"Huh?" Max questioned, unable to hear her soft comment.

"Trip wire… Hop taught me, it tells you when the bad men are near…--Hop… Is he okay? Where is he?" She questioned anxiously this time, her clouded mind had suddenly cleared and she had realised he wasn't with them.

"-- He's going to be okay, but he had to go to the hospital. —Nancy's got it covered, don't worry okay?" Max answered trying to assure her seemingly stressed friend.

-

"Can you walk?" Billy interrupted abruptly, his eyes appeared cold, but upon closer scrutiny it was a definite look of worry.

"I think so," El answered softly, her appearance alone, made Billy ignore her response, "Come on, let me help you." He said placing one of her arms around his shoulder.

He thought of just scooping her up and carrying her in, but he had a reputation to uphold and there were WAY too many people around to show that kind of weakness.

"What the hell took you guys so long?" Dustin said anxiously as he made his way down the steps from the front door, "Don't step: there, —here, —over —there or—ummm, —Here." He pointed with a toothy grin.

Billy rolled his eyes at the ridiculousness of his efforts and scooted past him, still with El in tow.

-

"Did she get Hop?" Dustin asked Steve eagerly, ignoring Billy's abruptness.

"Yeah, she got him, -- and somehow Billy managed to get them both out, I have no idea how any of them made it out alive. —El's weak, even weaker than after she closed the gate. -- Hop got shot…. Everything is a real mess." Steve said raking his hair anxiously.

"Well… let's get some sleep I guess and figure it out in the morning. – but seriously, be careful where you step, there is… I shit you not a tripwire around this entire house." Dustin said smirking to himself.

"Ah let's hope my mom doesn't randomly decide to renovate then huh?" Steve replied in a snort.

--

Billy had managed to help El into the house in record time, he moved quickly through the bottom floor of the house searching for a bathroom to drag her into. He found one swiftly and wasted no time directing them inside. He closed the door behind them and led her towards the toilet. Closing the lid, he carefully set her down on top of it. He then made his way to the sink to wet a random towel, surprised to see that the water ran freely through the faucet. He drenched the towel thoroughly and then rang it out to remove the excess moisture.

"You've got blood all over your face, here— "He said softly, placing the warm towel into her hands.

"You're bat shit crazy, you know that?" He added slightly irritated.

He knew at that moment that if he was going to get her to open up to him, he would need to be transparent with her, that idea alone, made him feel like there were tiny bats flying about his insides.

Not knowing what to say or even where to begin, he knelt in front of her, other than a stressed sigh he was silent; secretly hoping to hell that she would start talking first but knowing her past history and lack of words, that it was highly unlikely.

He continued to watch her in silence as she briskly scrubbed the blood from her face. He soon grew impatient and snatched it away from her nimble fingers. Then with prescience he chucked it back into the sink.

"You're mad at me." He stated knowingly, grabbing both her hands into his, surprising both of them by his intimate action.

.

"Yes." She said coldly, her eyes were piercing, they told him that she just needed more… more of him.

she always seemed to be able to speak to him without even saying more than a word or two. Just a simple look could explain everything she was thinking in detail.

It was incredible.

Fuck, I can't do this, it's like looking into the sun

It's not an apology she wants—

It's more.

—Openness,

A key to the door.

Give her that key and she will forgive.

FUCK.

SHIELDS UP.

"Well, even if you were mad at me, why would you be so stupid and go into that place?" He questioned her angrily, squeezing her hands tightly, the harshness of it caused El to wince slightly she had even tried to pull away for a moment, but he held her there assertively.

"That man… With the white hair… He's the one… that—" He said phasing out.

"yes, hurt me." She answered, her tone still cold, it was a signal letting him know she wouldn't budge until he did.

"I don't know what to tell you alright—I'm fucked up. I have been for a long time… But for some reason I'm slightly less fucked when I'm around you… and I don't really know what that means" He said vulnerably, giving into her stare.

"I-… guess maybe you were right, some parts of us, are the same." He said so exposed now that he couldn't even meet her stare.

His vulnerability must have been what she needed, because before he even knew what was happening both her hands were on either side of his face and with such urgency in her touch she hauled him up to her with all the strength she had left and embraced him into a smouldering kiss.

The kiss, said 'I understand you,' 'I hear you,' and 'I need you too.'

The feeling soared through Billy's chest like a tidal wave, he initially almost thought he needed to pull her back for a moment to regain him composure, but the part of him that felt need, forced him to ignore that burden and with his body's own resolve, he placed one hand behind her head to pull her into an even deeper kiss, his over hand now releasing hers, to spread her legs to allow him to move in between them, closing the distance between them.

Need, not want anymore.

Need.

His sexual hunger now taking over the last of his awareness, he hastily picked her up from under her hips to take her over the bathroom, sink, it was an awkward place to set her down, but it was higher up and it gave him much better access to all her treasures.

He released her lips from his and began working his way down her neck towards her chest, taking his time sucking and nibbling on each exposed piece of skin. Every hot kiss he placed burnt into her and sent shivers up her spine, the further down he came the more buttons he undid, until her flannel was completely open leaving only a bralette between him and his prize, the thin white lace left little to his imagination and it made him throb in his pants at the thought of removing it.

"You make me so crazy." He softly groaned in her ear, as he slid his rough hand underneath the delicate fabric of her bralette. He growled into her ear again at the feel of the soft skin of her breasts. The sensation caused El to fall backwards into the sink, pulling him in with her, he loudly palmed the glass cabinet above them, attempting to steady them again.

"Shhh." He murmured claiming her mouth back with his.

As he heard voices in the distance he soon became very aware that they were in a house full of people; people that would be disproving of such an act. caused him to reluctantly pull her back down from the sink.

"Hey what the hell are you two doing in there, you need to leave the door open if you're going to go in there with a buddy—alright?" Steve hissed while pounding the door from the other side.

"Hold that thought—" He whispered to her under now ragged breath.

God damnit.

A house full of cockblockers.

"whatever." Billy growled, before turning back to look at El, to kiss her again more tenderly this time, a small amount of his lustful fire had been extinguished by Steve's interruption and allowed him to focus on other important matters.

"Alright as much as I'd love to stay all night in here with you and take away every last piece of your innocence…-- I need to ask you some things." He said seriously this time, as he checked to see her face for compliance.

"Can you tell me about this guy… that your dad said was in that place with you… He said that he helped you. Who was he?"

"I don't know." She said softly, knotting her eyebrows in confusion. "But I know someone who will." She added hopefully.

"Who?" Billy asked curiously.

"mama."