A Hawkins
Family Reunion
Disclaimer: We need more Kali, yo. This is set during that 3 month time period at the end of season 3. Which… To be honest, the whole 3 months thing makes no sense to me as why 3? Did it really take that long to get the move going?
It was just another day in Hawkins, Indiana, and with it, the ever looming arrival of the day Jane 'El' Hopper and the Byers family would be moving away from Hawkins to California. To not only make it harder for anyone still wanting to look for her for not so good reasons, but to get away from the memories the Byers family has of Hawkins. The good and the bad but more so looking to get away from the bad even though El herself really didn't want to leave despite it arguably being for the best. And currently, El, Mike, and the rest of their friends were at a park enjoying themselves to the fullest as they had chosen to do after Joyce had announced the move to California a month ago. El herself was relaxing under a tree and its shade reading a book after having decided to take a break from all the fun. "Well, you look downright comfortable." Remarked a voice that had El's eyes widen as she immediately looked towards the source.
Seeing a dark skinned woman and quickly jumped up and hugged her and getting hugged back. "After Chicago I didn't think I'd see you again!" El told her sister, 8 or Kali as she preferred to be called, as they parted.
Kali shrugged. "Yeah, well, I didn't think so either as I wasn't too happy you chose to come back here but eventually I came to accept it."
Though she still had her moments where she didn't but the two of them clearly had different paths to go on. "How'd you manage to find me?" Wondered the younger of the two Sisters.
"Well… To be honest, it took a bit of work after Funshine had seen the news about this place and I knew I had to come here after that. To make sure you were okay."
Jane looked down and sniffled and it was enough for Kali to grow concerned and was about to ask what was wrong when Jane looked back up at her. "I've not only lost my dad, but my powers too." Jane told her sadly.
Hearing that surprised Kali and after getting an explanation from her sister, she felt even more surprised and horrified. Causing her to hug the younger girl rather tightly and the action making Jane sniffle again as she started to cry. "Hey! Who are you and why are you making El cry!?" Came the voice of a distressed Mike as he ran up to the two.
Kali glared at him as El pulled away from her sister to look at her boyfriend. "Mike, its okay, this is my sister and I was just telling her what happened with Hop and the Mind Flayer."
Mike stared at her in shock as he tried to find his voice as the rest of the Party showed up. "But… But we're not allowed to talk about any of that with anyone!" He finally said after El introduced Kali to the others.
"I make my own rules." El told him firmly while wiping at her eyes and Kali couldn't help but grin proudly at her little sister.
Max high fived El as well. "Damn right you do!" She added with a smirk as Mike scowled at her until El rushed off and started hugging several weird looking strangers.
One of whom was practically a Mountain of a guy for that matter! "Holy shit, that's the hugest guy I've ever seen!" Dustin declared in shock.
"We call him Funshine." Kali added helpfully.
Mike, unable to articulate all that well thanks to how shocked he was, tried and failed to get a proper sentence out much to the vast amusement of Max. Who was seriously in need of something like that and it did Lucas good to see the girl he cares so much about smiling as he'd been damned worried about her. Later that evening would see El and Kali walking down the driveway of the Byers household after Kali had successfully talked Joyce out of moving from Hawkins after pointing out a few things to her. Namely that she hadn't necessarily considered the opinions of all three of her kids and how they felt on the whole thing. That moving from all that they knew couldn't be in any way good for them as it could only potentially isolate them and leave them without anyone they could talk with that would understand them. Joyce hadn't necessarily been happy but Kali's arguments had won in the end and after a few phone calls were made, a new two-story home near the Sinclairs would be acquired for the Byers/Hopper family to move into much to everyone else's relief.
And for Joyce, at least the new home wouldn't have the memories the old one did. "So, what now, little sister?" Asked Kali as she and Jane walked down the driveway.
"Are you asking if I'll come with you and the others to hunt the bad men?"
"Yes." Was all Kali had to say.
Sure, Jane may not have her powers at the moment, but another hand in the fight against the men who had done so much shit to them wouldn't hurt. And having Jane around in general would just be great to have. The sad smile she got told her however that Jane clearly had no intention of leaving. "My… My home is here, Kali. I know you don't like that, but its true."
"Its not because of that Mike boy is it? Not sure I like him much." Kali told her in a disapproving manner and causing Jane to grin a little.
"You sound so much like Hop right now."
"Pity the Policeman and I never got to talk then."
Jane shook her head as she rolled her eyes. "But no, its not because of him, not entirely. But because of our friends and because of Joyce. And… Because that kind of life you and the others have isn't what I feel is for me. Even if I did have my powers and I can say I don't miss the nosebleeds." Kali chuckled at that.
"I can see how that would be a bonus, little sister. Never liked 'em much myself."
The two smiled over that as they walked. "Maybe… When I'm older I could be out there with you. And maybe, maybe you and the others could stay for awhile here?" Jane asked in a somewhat hopeful manner.
Getting a sad look from her big sister as a hand was placed on her shoulder. "I love you, little sister, I truly do but I don't think this town could handle me and mine very well."
Lord knows they'd gotten quite a few looks as it is from some of the townspeople as Jane scowled unhappily. "Mouthbreathers." Grumbled the girl and getting a look of amusement from Kali.
"But you could stay for a week? Help us move to the new house?"
The imploring look from her little sister was honestly breaking Kali's resolve and she groaned some. "You could make that look a new power of yours, little sister. But I suppose me and mine could stay a week. Just a week, little sister." She declared.
Getting a happy squeal from Jane as she hugged her happily as Kali privately thought that maybe this would do her group a little good to take it easy for a bit without the worry of anyone looking for them. "One question though."
"What's that?"
"Can I use my powers on Mike?"
"Kali!" Came the disapproving response, earning a laugh from the older girl in return.
"What!? Nothing big, I promise! I just want to scare him a little and see if he's right for you is all! Big sister privilege, Janey." She tried.
But Jane wasn't having it. "Aww, you're no fun."
"Well… That's because he's my boyfriend and if I dump him again, you can do it then."
"Got any plans to dump him anytime soon then?" Was the hopeful sounding question and not even flinching when her little sister glared at her.
"You are so lucky I can't use my powers right now but no! No plans at all!"
Though one plan she had was to be there for Max even more now that she and the Byers weren't moving away. "Damn." Grumbled Kali with a snap of her fingers.
Jane stuck her tongue out at her as they made their way back towards the house and as it would turn out, Kali and her crew would end up staying a little longer than a week much to Jane's immense happiness before they finally hit the road again! And thanks to Axel being around, Will would start to find himself feeling a little more comfortable with himself and that journey would be further added too after he'd end up having a talk with Robin and after meeting Eddie once High School started. Even trying out his own little mini-mohawk at one point as well much to the shock of his mother!
Author's Notes: Hope folks enjoyed! This one took me a bit but I'm glad I finally got it done. Hadn't intended on the whole Joyce gets talked out of moving thing as I was planning that for another (which I could still always do) fic but it ended up happening.