Eddie was kept for observation for three days. They took turns to visit him, and despite his injuries he seemed in good spirits. The drugs probably played a part in that. Rosie stayed with Wayne, losing her mind in that little trailer when he was gone to work, trying to walk around the park and keep herself busy by cleaning. Max lived across the way, and asked her to drop over if she was feeling lonely. They had an Atari, so Rosie gladly took her up.
They got him walking around, ever mindful of his leg. Rosie kept checking the bandage for any blood, fearful that the stitches would break. Eddie called her a worryworm. She had brought him up to the 4th floor to look out the window when Hopper found them. El was with him - she hadn't seen Eddie yet, and gaped openly at his bruised face. Rosie didn't really blame her; the swelling had gone down around his cheek, but his left eye was continually bloodshot. It freaked her out a bit.
"I talked to that Ashton boy and his friends." Hopper said. "They deny everything, of course. And no witnesses to confirm."
"Even from the store?" Rosie asked.
"None."
"There must be security footage?"
"Only camera is at the tills."
"Shit."
"I want to help you, Eddie. But the station's gonna start breathing down my neck if I keep after these guys for no reason."
"Right." Eddie replied grimly. "No witness, no crime."
Rosie's blood was starting boil. "What can we do?"
"Without going vigilante, there's not much we can do, unless Eddie wants to press charges. Do you?"
"No."
"Yes."
She and Eddie exchanged looks.
"Yes!"
"No."
Hopper coughed awkwardly. "I'll give you two a minute."
The girl was still staring.
"EL!"
She was barely out of earshot when Rosie hissed: "What are you doing?"
"There's no point, Rosie." Eddie sat back on the windowsill, looking tired.
"No point? These guys nearly killed you!"
"But they didn't. And there was no-one there to see. It won't do anything."
"You could get compensation -"
"I won't win!" He laughed darkly. "Those guys - Henry. They have the money. I don't. Without a good lawyer, it'll just get swept under the rug. There's no point."
She couldn't believe what he was saying. "I can't let them get away with this."
Eddie took her hand. "I know you can't. I can tell. But don't say I didn't warn you."
Rosie thought for a moment, then called to Hopper: "I want to charge."
Both of them frowned at her.
"Huh?" Hopper strode back over.
She showed him her jaw; it was still red. The nurse had given her more ointment for it. "One of them hit me. And they slashed my tires. I can charge, right?"
Eddie groaned. "Rosie…"
"I mean…yeah."
"Great. I'll do it."
"Is your car still at Rick's?"
"Yes." Her eyes went wide. "Holy fuck, and Sally!"
"Sally?"
"Rick's dog. She must be starving!"
"I'll get the dog." Hopper promised. "And send someone for your car. I can call in a favor with the repair shop, get you new tires."
"Thanks, Hop." Eddie said.
Hopper clapped him on the shoulder. Eddie staggered. "Just mend up, kid."
Sally got taken in by the Byers until Rick was back - turned out El was slightly afraid of her. She was a big dog, after all. Hopper gave Rosie a ride to the repair shop the next evening. She had never been so happy to see her old station wagon, and found he'd loaded their vacation bags into the back. She drove by the Henderson's to pick up some more clothes. Dustin was in school, so for the first time since she'd left, she was alone with Claudia.
"Hi."
"How are you, dear?" Her cousin sat up in her armchair, letting Tews out of her lap.
Rosie nodded. "I'm…yeah."
"The Munson boy?"
"Eddie."
"How's Eddie?"
"He's pretty beat up. But alive."
To her surprise, Claudia stood and hugged her. "He was lucky you were there."
"Right."
A pat on the cheek. "Oh you're still upset. Have some tea, come on."
Rosie sat in the kitchen, and Claudia asked about what happened. She didn't make any snide remarks about Eddie, even seemed concerned about him. Rosie relaxed, seeing the change in her. She finished her tea and stood.
"I'm just getting some clothes, Claudia." She announced. "I'm just -"
"He needs your help, I know. Call if you need anything, Rosie."
"I will."
Eddie was discharged the next morning. Rosie went to collect him, Wayne in tow. Once he changed into his own clothes, he seemed so much better. He remained in that happy daze he'd been in the whole time, and Rosie received a cocktail of different pills from the desk to keep him that way.
"You hungry?" She held the door as Wayne helped him up the steps. Max appeared at the window across the street, and Rosie waved.
"No. Just want my own bed." Eddie shrugged Wayne off and slowly made his way to his room. Rosie followed. He lowered himself gradually onto the fresh sheets, grunting contentedly.
"Do you want to sleep?"
His arms reached up. "No. Cuddle."
She shut the door and curled up next to him, letting him place her arms where it didn't hurt. Eddie started to kiss her face.
"How do you feel?" She asked, afraid to move.
"Great. I'd prefer if you kissed me."
"Your lip?"
"It doesn't hurt." He replied. "Unless it's grossing you out?"
"No." Rosie pressed her lips softly to the uninjured side. "Your eye, though."
He closed it. "I know. I can't even look at it."
"Careful." Eddie was rubbing her arm, she eyed his taped fingers.
"Rosie, I'm not that fragile. Stop!"
"Right. Sorry."
"You don't need to be -" His brow furrowed. "What's wrong?"
Against her will, a tear slipped down her cheek. Eddie tried to wipe them away, but they came rapidly now.
"I'm just glad you're okay."
Without the nurses, Rosie was on duty. Her vacation days were gone in an instant, and she rang to take another week off work. They weren't happy, and she wondered if she would be allowed back, but Eddie was more important. Eventually Rick called, clearly confused as to why his house was empty and his dog gone. Eddie explained what had happened over the phone. Two hours later, there was a knock at the door.
"You must be Rosie."
Rick was not what she expected. A tall man with sandy-red hair and glasses. He wore an argyle sweater, slacks and loafers. He looked more like an accountant than a drug dealer. She shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Rick."
"You too. Is he here?"
Eddie was still finishing his lunch, but was delighted to see Rick. "You didn't have to come over."
"Just wanted to make sure you were in one piece." The man sat opposite him. "I hear you know the guys that followed you back?"
"Went to school with 'em." Eddie confirmed.
"You know if you give me the names, I can…."
Rosie sat up on the sofa.
"That's not necessary, Rick. But thanks."
"Right. And thank you." He turned to grin at Rosie. "For making sure Sally got taken care of, in the middle of all of this."
"I would have taken her, but there's not much room here."
"No, no. She loved the Byer kids." Rick turned serious now. "Listen, Ed. I know this was meant to be a nice, romantic week with your girlfriend. Lover's Lake and all."
Rosie tilted her head at Eddie. He blushed.
"Yeah, sucks that it got ruined."
"Absolutely. If you want, my guest room is open to the two of you. After you're on your feet."
"Thank you, Rick."
"Thanks." Rosie added. Such a nice drug dealer. No wonder Eddie trusted him.
With that said, the man stood up and zipped his coat. Sally was waiting in the car, and he wanted to get dinner.
"I'll walk you to the car." Before either of them could comment, Rosie was ushering Rick out the door and down the steps.
"Good manners. Are you going to teach Eddie some?" Rick joked. His smile faded when Rosie edged close.
"Pete Ashton."
"Ashton?"
She nodded. "Pete Ashton. Henry something. Two of their friends."
"Same year as Eddie?"
"For one year, at least. Steve Harrington said they were the grade above him."
"Got it."
"Thanks."
Rick studied her a moment. "Darlin'. You know now I have their names -"
"No." Rosie held up a hand to silence him. "I don't want the details. I just want someone to do something."
"I can do that, alright."
"Don't tell Eddie?"
"Don't tell Eddie."
