Joyce had given Julie the keys and some boxes of kitchen stuff. The next morning Julie contacted Joyce's cousin, Linda, about rent. For once, it was wonderful being busy. She'd checked out of the motel, moved her few boxes and suitcases into the new house, and took some time to pick up a few decorative pieces. She'd always imagined what her home would be like when she was on her own again. Those nights at the facility were typically spent daydreaming. She couldn't wait for this new start.

After a little shopping, Julie went to the coffee shop Joyce suggested. Meeting with the manager, she asked for a job. It didn't take much convincing, she was surprised, and she was on the schedule within a half hour of meeting the woman.

"I'll see ya on Saturday then! God, we needed the help," the manager, Cindy, sighed while passing over a free coffee.

"It's perfect timing," she agreed.

"I can't believe you came here of all places," the owner chuckled. "Honestly, Julie, you should'a gone to a big city."

Julie smiled sweetly, ignoring her comment. "Nothing interesting happens here, huh?"

"Eh, not really. Though, are you single? We have a barista, Adam, who is just…" Cindy sighed. "I'm married or I'd chase him, I swear."

"I just got the job and you're already trying to hook me up?" Julie couldn't help but laugh at the situation. It felt like she was meeting with an old friend. She remembered that some people you just vibe with. It'd been a while since she'd felt this.

"You're young, new here…I'm just looking out for ya!"

"Always appreciated," Julie shook her head. She felt awkward, part of her wanting to leave but another part of her not knowing where to go exactly. "I'll see you Saturday."

She finished her coffee and left the shop, making her way over to Melvald's to tell Joyce the good news. In front of the store Julie noted the chief's cruiser and her shoulders tensed a little. Entering the building the bell sounded and she felt awkward for interrupting the conversation Joyce and Jim were in.

"Julie!" Joyce exclaimed, smile on her face. "How'd it go?"

Jim's eyes were on her and she could feel the confusion coming off of him in waves.

"I got the job so," she smiled. "I just wanted to come over and thank you for the recommendation."

Joyce gave her a sweet look. "Oh, sweetie, no problem! I'm glad to help get you started here. I was just telling Jim that you're renting Linda's house."

Jim nodded stiffly. "Welcome to Hawkins."

"Once I get settled, I'd love to have you guys over for dinner. You've both done so much for me and I can't express how much I appreciate it." Her eyes trailed over Jim's reaction to this. She felt warm speaking such things to them, but she felt like she needed to say it.

Joyce glanced at Jim and then back. "You mean a meal I don't have to cook? Count me in."

Julie smiled. "Well, you know where to find me. I'll leave you guys to it."

She turned on her heels and left quickly, feeling the tension between the two of them. She didn't know for sure what she was feeling and a part of her wanted to dig, but she let it be.

"Hey, Julie!" Jim called as she opened her car door. He took long strides toward her, looking calm and collected. "I uh…you…" he huffed for a second. "I know you have questions for me and…I guess I just wanna…"

"Jim," Julie interrupted him. "In time, I get it. Don't worry."

Jim's head was spinning thinking about everything. When he picked Jane up last night Joyce mentioned that Julie was there and he realized that Jane might have spoken with her. Yet when Jim pressed Joyce for information she didn't have much to give. Apparently Julie hadn't spoken much to her, hadn't made a skin contact, hadn't tried getting in her head. He called it progress, considered it promising. Maybe she was trustworthy. It wasn't his plan to be this guarded with her, but he felt like it was necessary.

She got in her car, started it, rolled down the window. He bent down, leaned closer.

"I'm not blowin' ya off," he assured her. She sensed that he was telling the truth and, to be honest, she just wanted to avoid him at all cost at the moment.

"Liar," she accused in a teasing tone. "If you wanted me to know, I'd know."

Jim looked slightly offended, slightly humored. "Keep that attitude and you'll never know."

She shifted into gear. "I'm only sticking around because I want to help, Jim, you can convince yourself otherwise as much as you want." And then she offered, "I got used to waiting at the facility. Trust me, I can wait for you to share your secrets."

That sentence alone left a hollow feeling in Jim's chest and he stepped back, lighting a cigarette and watching her go.

•••

Food stocked in the house, some pictures hung on the wall, Julie felt content going to work on Saturday wearing jeans and a black t-shirt. She tied the smock around her waist and greeted the guests that walked in.

Some of the items on the menu had different names than the ones at the café in her hometown, but the job was straightforward. She was grateful for her previous experience making this an easier transition. Her boss still had her look through recipe books to study which was nice when the 'rush' wasn't active. She'd been studying and wiping up for a few hours when her boss came in mid-shift.

"I'll just take a coffee, some caramel, and two sugars please," came a soft, sweet voice.

The young woman before her was maybe a high school student – dainty, pretty – but when she handed over the cash and their fingers met briefly Julie got a good look into her memories: a young redhead disappearing from a pool, hunting down a monster in a house that looked all too similar to Joyce's.

"Here's your change," she forced her mouth to work, forced her way out of the memories.

"Keep the change," the young woman voiced, her eyes narrowing after a second as Julie went to go mix together her coffee. "You're not from around here, are you?" she asked. "I've never seen you before."

"I just moved in actually," Julie said, mixing the caramel in. "It's weird being the newbie."

"I can't imagine," the girl said. "I'm Nancy."

"It's nice to meet you, Nancy." She handed over the coffee.

She couldn't shake all the connections she was making with the memories of the people in this town.

Shortly after Nancy sat down, Julie could sense her fear. A quick glance up convinced her that her feelings were right. Nancy sat staring out of the café's side window, mouth a hard line, pulse quickening.

"Are you okay?" she knew she shouldn't have vocalized the sensation, but she couldn't help it.

Nancy hesitated, glancing away. "Y-yeah…"

Julie didn't believe her but she went back to cleaning up.

"Hey," Linda came over, "have you taken your break yet?" Julie shook her head. "Go on."

It was a nice day outside, really. The breeze was a little chilly but the sun was glorious. Julie grabbed a mug of coffee and sat out front on the bench. Any opportunity she had to be outside in the elements she appreciated, even if the breeze was blowing her sweater open and she felt the cool air on the tops of her feet from her high heels.

Jim's cruiser was parked over in front of Melvald's again and Julie couldn't help but have that feeling once more – like something was going on between the two of them, though it was none of her business.

She sipped her coffee, closing her eyes as the breeze blew. The bell rang beside her, alerting her of movement from the shop. Nancy left in a hurry. In the parking lot a young man stood smoking a cigarette while leaned against his Camaro. Julie watched him as he watched Nancy. The minute he started toward her, Julie put down her half-empty coffee mug.

"Hey, Nance. Nice to see ya," the boy called.

"Billy, leave me alone."

He put out his cigarette on the pavement. "You seen Steve lately?"

"I said 'leave me alone,' Billy."

Julie was standing now, making her way toward the scene as this Billy dude tried to put his hands on Nancy.

"Nancy, hey," she called. "I think you left a book in the shop." She didn't take her eyes off of this Billy guy who was clearly giving her a once-over. "Come back inside for a minute." Nancy took no time allowing Julie to swoop in and hide her under her wing – she jogged back over to the coffee shop and stood in the doorway. Billy approached, eyes narrowed, lips pursed, checking out her chest in that tight black t-shirt. "You getting some coffee or?" Julie asked him, ignoring the annoyance she was feeling toward him from Nancy. "Because if not you really shouldn't be parked there – it's for customers only."

Billy appeared humored as he got uncomfortably close. Julie didn't back down, knowing that that was what he wanted.

"Yeah?" he smirked. "Well aren't you just a spitfire." Julie said nothing. He smiled and it was distractingly beautiful. "Ma'am, I apologize for the inconvenience. I'm not really in the mood for coffee at the moment. You work here?"

"Yes, I do."

He looked her up and down once more. "Then I'll have to take a raincheck. I'd love to know if what you're selling is any good." His words dripped innuendo but Julie gave no reaction but a fake smile before he turned away and got in the car. The engine roared.

Squealing wheels were heard as Julie turned back to see Nancy, but Jim was on his way toward them.

"Few days in town and you're already picking fights with the local cretin, huh?" Jim shook his head. "I advise being cautious around that one."

Julie just smirked at him. "I can handle myself, Jim."

"That's what they all say."

"Are you coming over for dinner or what?" she crossed her arms and Jim couldn't help but glance at her breasts.

"Tonight?"

"Yes."

Jim exhaled a puff of smoke, bringing his cigarette back up to his lips to inhale once more. Give him time to think. "Depends. What're you making?"

"Depends. What do you want?"

Shit, she was fiery today. Raising a brow at her, he smirked. "Something with red sauce."

"Hm…stuffed shells and garlic bread?" her hands shifted to her hips. Those heels didn't make her much closer to his height, which he found funny. "Joyce told me to let you pick so here we are."

Oh. Joyce was coming too.

"Well, I picked. Let's see if you can produce, Mississippi." Hop was egging her on purposefully, enjoying the way she looked at him when she was flustered.

"I get off at 5 so after that works?"

Hopper nodded, "Be there around 6."

"Alright, see you then."

He watched her walk away then stomped out the cigarette, smirking to himself.

•••

It wasn't that Hopper really thought this through. Sometimes he just got lucky. Sometimes he forgot that he had someone else at home relying on him, but Jane was extremely independent so half the time he wasn't even needed. Thankfully for him, tonight Jane was staying with the Wheeler's.

"I'll be there to pick you up later tonight, okay?" Hopper said over the phone.

"Will you be by yourself?" Jane asked innocently over the phone, knowing that he sometimes fell asleep on the couch and picked her up from their little game night too late.

"No. I…uh…I'm having dinner."

"Dinner?"

"Yes, dinner."

"By yourself?"

Another sigh. "No, kid, with a friend."

"9:00?"

"Yep, I'll be there by nine."

They hung up and Hopper pulled out another cigarette, reading over some paperwork. His mind drifted to the questions he knew Jane would have for him once she found out about Julie. And it was only a matter of time. For fuck's sake she'd already gotten that Wheeler kid away from the punk, Billy. Kids talk, especially about new people and especially in a small town.

She'd have to meet Eleven sooner or later.

•••

He should have brought something, that was his first thought upon pulling in the driveway of Julie's place. Joyce was already there and he was sure she brought a bottle of wine or something. In all honesty, she was lucky he showed. It'd been a long day and he was tired.

Rapping his knuckles against the front door, he was surprised when she opened so quickly.

"Hey, I'm glad you made it!" Julie ushered him in, wine glass in hand. "You want something to drink?"

"Please," he groaned.

"Hey, Hop!" Joyce greeted with a small wave. "Long day?"

He slid into a chair at the dining room table, eyeing around the room at the few decorations she'd already put. "God, yeah."

"Beer or whiskey?" Julie called from the kitchen.

"Whiskey will do."

Julie was absolutely glowing when she came back in the room. He wondered if she was just this happy to be in this small town or if it was something else entirely.

"Julie, this place looks amazing. I'm glad you found something," Joyce smiled at her.

"It was all because of you guys. So thank you."

The timer beeped in the other room and Julie quickly went to go grab the food out of the oven. Joyce followed behind her and helped pull out plates and silverware for them.

"So, how are you liking the new house?"

Julie scooped the stuffed shells and placed them on the plates, dripping more sauce on them, then placing garlic bread on the plates as well.

"I really like it. I've always thought about having a place of my own," she almost gave away more information about herself but stopped. "I guess it just gets lonely when I'm not at work."

"That's why you're so thrilled to have us here," Joyce grabbed a plate while Julie grabbed both hers and Jim's.

"Guilty. Not to mention I owed you guys." When they came back to the dining room, Jim was up wandering around her living room, taking a look at a few of the things she'd had around the house. He found his way back to the table when the food was served.

•••

"Hop, haven't you had enough!?" Joyce laughed, three glasses of wine deep.

Julie served him another plate, grateful for their company still. Jim was on his third helping, fourth piece of garlic bread, third glass of whiskey. Not that Julie was counting.

"Let him eat, Joyce," Julie laughed.

"Didn't think it'd be this good," Hopper chided.

Julie glared across the table. "You're an ass."

All three of them laughed together.

"Ugh! I gotta get goin', Julie. Will has a project he's working on tonight for school and he's leaving the Wheeler's early." Joyce stood from the table, taking her dishes into the kitchen and placing them in the sink. "Thank you for everything."

Julie walked her to the door as Jim finished eating. She half expected Jim to walk her out, but she still couldn't read the two of them exactly.

"Take care. Thanks for coming by."

"You cook like that all the time, I'll be sure to be back."

Julie blushed at this, watching her walk to her car. She closed the door then turned back to Jim who was leaned back in his seat, looking tired.

"You haven't told her about you yet, have you?" Jim eyed her as she sat back down with him. Julie slowly poured another glass of wine. She shook her head. "Do you plan to?"

Did she? Eventually, maybe. Or…not. She didn't know.

"I just met her, Jim. I don't want her to think I'm a freak." She swirled her wine then took a sip.

"Trust me, I don't think she will…"

Julie sighed, shaking her head. "I'll get there."

Hopper glanced at his watch. "Well, Jules, color me impressed." He took a sip of his drink. "Pretty good eats."

She smirked at him. "Appreciated, Chief."

The moment felt incredibly domestic to Julie. She hadn't been alone with anyone but Joyce in the house before. Being three glasses of wine in, she couldn't help but think of the last time they were in a house alone together. She blushed at the thought. Surely Jim hadn't had any intention of her moving into the same town.

"I wasn't shitting you earlier, kid," Jim's voice was serious, all joking aside. She was reminded of their earlier conversation outside of the coffee shop. "As you said: I'll get there."

"Patience it is then, Jim."

When she got up to do dishes, he followed her into the kitchen, leaned against the stove.

"So how weird is it having a place of your own?"

Julie pondered this as she did the dishes and then answered, "Pretty weird. I always thought about it you know? I've had apartments before everything that happened, but it's been so long since I've been able to do what I want and…I don't even know what that is. I just remember dreaming of what I'd do when I got out of that facility."

"And what's that?"

"This…kinda…I guess. Back to normal living. But I think…" she sighed, looking at him and then away again. "I think I just assumed I'd have my parents."

Hopper felt instantly sad for her. Julie had no one.

"What do you mean, Hawkins isn't everything you imagined?" he was trying to use humor to cheer up the mood.

"Oh! That reminds me, I lied to Joyce about why I stayed. I couldn't tell her."

Hopper laughed. "And? What'd you say?"

"Some awful story about my grandpa meeting my grandma here or some shit. Something super romantic. I just froze, didn't want to tell her about my past."

"Yeah? Why did she think you stayed?"

Julie froze again. "You, actually."

"Me?"

She nodded, drying her hands off after finishing the last of the dishes.

"Joyce was digging, wanted to see how we knew each other. I think she was just curious."

"And you told her…?" he wanted to see what she'd said – if she'd mentioned anything about their more physical experiences together all those months ago.

There were times Hopper reflected on those nights. They had been unexpected, really, but enjoyable. He'd admit it to himself, once he'd seen her back in town he let his mind trail back a bit to play catch up and found himself enjoying those memories.

"-Not about that," she was blushing at his thoughts. Fuck, he kept forgetting that she could read them. "It's up to you if you wanna tell her…I mean…I have a lot to share, I guess, and that's probably not first on my list."

"And why not?" he was being playful and it was probably the drinks talking a bit.

Julie's face reddened again. "Jim…" she still didn't know if there was something going on between him and Joyce and she'd be damned if she'd ask or search through his thoughts. A part of her wondered if she just felt comfortable with him because he was familiar, unlike everyone else in this town.

"Oh, I'll be sure to tell all the juicy details down to the last touch," he stepped toward her to put his empty glass in the sink and their hips touched. Just that contact made Julie gasp lightly. "Food was good, Mississippi, but I gotta head out."

"Oh, right, yeah, no problem."

Following, she went to see him out and it felt super awkward because she was in her head about what they'd just discussed, images of those nights flashing in her mind.

"Goodnight, Julie."

"G'night, Jim."

She stood on the porch step and watched him go, already dreading returning to the now empty house.