I'm sorry, really sorry. I've been really busy, World Cup and all that. Anyway I wrote chapter 3 out and I hope you like it. Thank you my wonderful reviewers. You're the best.

Chapter 3:

Steve woke the next day not entirely sure how he'd ended up in bed. He shrugged it off before heading downstairs to make breakfast. He let the bacon sizzle as he poured some OJ. After finishing his meal, and cleaning up, Steve debated what to do. He could, possibly practice his abilities. He'd heard from Dustin that Jane got nosebleeds if she used hers. Steve hadn't experienced that at all so maybe he could manage. Filling a glass with water, Steve poured it onto the counter top letting it form a small puddle. He pressed one finger to the middle and watched the ice spread out. He focused and made it only freeze on one side. He wondered if he could melt it too. He concentrated, screwing up his face. Slowly, but surely, the ice started to melt. Steve mucked around with the puddle for hours, thinking he must have looked really pathetic.

He learnt that if he focused enough he could make defined shapes. He'd managed to make a square, a triangle. He was very impressed with himself. It was exciting to him. Yesterday it had freaked him out a bit, okay a lot. But today was different. The ice was looking every bit as pretty as Jane had said. It was like it was patterned just under the surface in a way Steve couldn't explain. He hadn't yet felt faint or even had a trickle of blood. He wanted to try more things and the pool outside beckoned him. He started slowly, freezing the water's surface. If he pushed hard enough it shattered. Steve pushed himself a little more, freezing it just that little bit extra until he was pretty sure the entire pool was frozen solid. Steve felt a rush performing such a big feat. Too late, he realised, that it was also dizziness. He hadn't noticed blood trickling down his nose, just as cold as his skin. Steve felt numb. He collapsed next to the pool. And no one was there to help him.

Hopped had turned up to the Harrington residence after debating with himself for a good few hours. He'd left Jane with the Wheeler's, or rather allowed her to be secreted into the basement, and driven himself all the way over. After knocking on the door and ringing the doorbell a few times, he decided that no one was going to answer. He slipped round the back to see a very motionless Steve and a frozen solid pool. He understood what had happened immediately. He gently shook Steve's shoulder.

"Harrington?" He coaxed. "Come on kid, wake up!" Steve came to steadily. His eyes cracked open and he looked at Hopper blearily. Hopper couldn't stop the sigh of relief. "Do you think you can sit up?" Steve nodded shakily, slowly pushing himself up. Hopper kept a steady arm around his shoulders.

"Think I over did it." Steve muttered hazily. Hopper glanced at the pool.

"You think?" He queried. "Let's get you inside." He helped Steve up and managed to prop him on a stool by the counter. He shoved a glass of water into Steve's hand and sat down, promptly putting his elbow right in Steve's puddle. Steve gave him a sheepish look.

"I was practicing." Steve said. Hopper said nothing. At least it was only water. He did, however, avoid the puddle.

"So, you practiced yourself into collapse?" Hopper asked. Steve bowed his head.

"I know. I'm an idiot." He mumbled. Hopper sighed.

"Yeah, what if I hadn't come by?" He asked. "What if your parents had found you like that?"

"They wouldn't have." Steve said with such certainty that Hopper dropped it.

"Anyway. I came here to talk to you." He said.

"About what?" Steve asked, confused. He supposed it could have something to do with the fact he now had 'powers' but he figured that Hopper would just pull him aside when they bumped into each other, not seek him out.

"About Dr Brenner." Hopper said, gauging the kid's reaction. Steve froze. His body was rigid and a dark look crossed his face. The glass in his hand shattered, completely turned to ice. Steve didn't notice.

"Why do you want to talk about him?" Steve asked in a whisper. His face was stark white. Hopper felt a bit guilty, he supposed the kid had been traumatised by Dr Brenner just like Jane had and he had no right to ask Steve.

"I don't really understand everything that went down between him and Jane." Hopper explained. "I was hoping you could shed some light on it."

"Because you can't ask Jane." Steve said bluntly. "Because that might hurt her." Hopper felt his guilt increase, but he persisted, he had to do this for Jane.

"That man traumatised her and she doesn't know how to talk about it." Hopper said. "I want to help her. Just help me out here kid." Steve nodded slowly.

"Yeah, I get it. Jane is a bit young for this." He said.

"You're a bit young for this." Hopper said. "If you ask me all of you are too young for this." Steve gave him an odd look but said nothing.

"Honestly, I can't tell you much." Steve said. "I don't really remember anything. I think... I think Dr Brenner may have messed with my memory." Hopper nodded understandingly. "But I do know he scares me." Hopper didn't say anything. He really shouldn't have come here just to bombard Steve with questions.

"It's okay kid, you don't have to force yourself." Hopped said. Steve gave him a strained smile.

"Too late." He said. "I do remember him making me call him Papa. I don't know. The guy's a creep."

"Yeah. Alright kid, maybe you should get some rest. I think freezing the pool did one hell of a number on you." Hopper said, not willing to subject the kid to anymore painful memories. Steve nodded and headed upstairs. Hopper followed him, making sure the kid didn't fall down the stairs or worse. When Steve bodily collapsed in bed Hopper finally asked the one question that had really been nagging him since he arrived. "Are your parents not around?"

"They're never around." Steve muttered into the pillow. Hopper frowned.

"When was the last time they were here?" He asked. There was a pause. A worrying, far too long pause.

"Dunno, few months I guess. Maybe more." Steve said, crawling into his bed more comfortably. "Can't really remember." Hopper swore under his breath. The Harrington's, the wealthiest people in Hawkins, were rarely seen but Hopper didn't think they just vanished for months at a time. "It's probably cos I'm here. They know somethings wrong with me. Ruins their perfect reputation." Hopper was livid but he kept his frustration in check. He rested a hand on Steve's shoulder.

"There ain't nothing wrong with you kid. You're different, special. Anyone who says otherwise can kiss my ass." Hopper said. "If there's nothing wrong with Jane, then there's nothing wrong with you." Hopper saw Steve's eyes gloss over slightly with tears and wondered if the kid's parents had ever told him he was special.

"Thanks Chief." Steve said. Hopper have a half smile and nudged Steve so he would suffocate himself in a pillow. He touched Steve's bare skin and was surprised by how cold it was. He didn't say anything though. He didn't want to ruin the moment.