Hey everyone! Sorry it's been so long.

I know I used to post almost every day, but I actually have a baby on the way soon! Taking care of my wife comes first :)

ANYWAYS! Here's chapter 6!

I tried to clean it up more than I did with some of the other chapters.

If you want to beta the story let me know and we can set that up.

Also! If you're an artist I wanted to get a cover for the story and would love to see some artwork :D

(^.^) R&R! (^.^)

As always, thanks for reading.

Enjoy!

Jim Hopper couldn't have been more relaxed if he wanted to. Finally, after more paperwork than he'd ever seen in his life, and the leftover fragments of loose ends that needed closing from last month's "episode," Hopper could breathe. The cold surface of a small glass cup with liquor and ice felt good on his hands as he raised it to take a drink, with a gasp of refreshment he plopped onto his couch, ready to watch whatever was on his television at home. I should actually clean this place up, it's a mess, Jim thought to himself for a moment looking around at the disaster of a home. In the end he discarded the thought and took another gulp of the drink.

It was a good thing no one was scheduled to make a visit; his working days were over… At least, for the next three until he had to return. 'A well-deserved vacation' is what they called it.

He thought about trying his luck at calling up the local librarian again for some "book lessons," but decided against that too, it would probably end up leading him to another awkward situation anyways. Honestly, he needed this time to clear his head and get real with himself about where he wanted to go in life. Successful as he may be as the chief, Hopper was still missing something – a piece of himself that would never grow back, his daughter blew that hole wide open, and no amount of duct tape or satisfaction on the job would ever repair or fill it.

Without warning, loud and violent knocking began attacking his front door. "Officer Hopper! Officer Hopper are you there!?" Jim went into cop mode, setting his drink down on the table next to him. He threw on a light jacket before opening the door. "Kids?" Hopper said, looking at the children outside his door, "what do you want? Why are you-" Jim stopped himself, his face went stone cold when he saw who was past them.

A small weak girl, who was being held up by Michael Wheeler was all that it took for him to get serious. "Get inside, now!" Hopper demanded, looking out past all the kids. He wasn't a stranger to being watched by secretive agencies, and wanted to make sure nobody was outside spying.

The kids hurried into his small house, out of breath and exhausted. They had never pedaled their little bodies faster in their whole lives, and who wouldn't? If there were evil psychic bullies and monsters from the Vale of Shadows behind you… you ran! Jim shut the door behind him and locked it, then he closed the shades and locked the windows. "Anybody want to tell me exactly what's happening?" Hopper asked as he finished with his security measures.

All of the kids except for Michael and Eleven began speaking over one another, trying to get out every little detail they could remember at once. Michael was too busy drowning at the sight of Eleven. "Okay everyone be quiet!" Jim told the boys, then he looked over at Michael who was sitting down on his couch with the girl. "Michael," Hopper sighed, "where did you find her?"

"We didn't really find her," Michael began, "It's more like we pulled her back."

Hopper's face went into the 'I don't have a damn clue what you're talking about' expression.

Michael clarified, "there's a new boy at school, named Sean. He's like Eleven, and he knew how to find her, she wasn't here with us. She was somewhere like the upside down, but not quite there either."

"Well where is he?" Hopper asked.

"Hopefully dead!" Dustin interrupted, "he tried to murder us once we brought Eleven back! But when we ran off we saw him battling the Demogorgon."

"Yeah he's working with the lab, and that white haired guy." Lucas added.

"Okay… Wait," said Jim, "what's a Demogorgon?"

"Just a name we came up with for the monster," Dustin replied.

"Uh huh," Hopper said, still not understanding where the name came from.

Hopper took a deep breath and rolled his eyes. Brenner's alive? I thought the officials… Oh God, not state again. Jim suddenly remembered that part of the investigation after the school incident was State operated. It was no wonder he didn't know Brenner was alive. They kept it a secret. He just assumed that he had died, considering he went to the school the day him and Joyce went to retrieve Will and so many people had lost their lives.

"Chief you have to help us," Will began, "The monster from the upside down is back, and Sean almost killed us today. If it wasn't for Eleven and Mike, we'd probably be goners right now."

The Chief scratched his forehead and closed his eyes, pacing back and forth. There were several key issues he was facing; One, he had five children in his home, who were out past dark and needed to get home safely. Two, the girl at the epicenter of last month's events was sitting on his couch looking like death. If the lab found out she's alive – and if this new boy they were talking about was still out there then they would – she was going to need a place to stay. None of the boys' homes would do, because they weren't secure enough. Three, the people grabbing monster from hell was back on the loose.

So much for that Well-Deserved vacation.

"Alright, here's what's gonna happen," Jim began, "First we're going to get you kids home, safely." He looked over at Michael. "Kid, you're probably not going to like this, but the girl has to stay here with me."

"WHAT?! No!" Michael argued. "She can't stay here!" Michael was upset and angry, he just got Eleven back, he was being selfish and truthfully he wanted Eleven to himself. He turned to El, she was looking at him too. Her eyes big and beautiful, awaiting her hero to talk. "Eleven you have to come back with me, right?" Mike asked.

"Mike… Not safe." Eleven said. "Two , he was watching you." She replied.

Michael's stomach started to churn, how does he know where I live? That bastard! Was he watching me this whole time? He thought, then he took a deep breath, feeling defeated. "Okay El, your safety is the most important thing right now. I understand." He said, adding a touch of nostalgia from a conversation they had a month ago.

Eleven gave a small smile, then turned to look at Hopper who started to speak again.

"Kids I'm going to give you my number, if you see anything suspicious you NEED to call me, right away, understand?"

"Yes sir," the kids all said at once while Hopper wrote his number down on four different slips of paper, handing them to the boys.

Jim went into his room for a moment, shouting into the living room. "I'm gonna get ready to head out. Don't touch anything!" Hopper said through the walls.

The boys sat there, impatiently waiting to go home, it was starting to get late at that point. So Dustin, Will, and Lucas started messing around with one another, playfully wrestling, but Michael wasn't interested in that. The only person he wanted to be around was El, he still couldn't believe she was home, and even though she wouldn't be staying in her fort he was happy nonetheless.

Eleven was focused on something, lost in thought. She glanced over at Michael, and gave another small smile. I'm home, she said to herself.

"Mike," El suddenly said.

"Yeah El?" He replied.

Eleven wanted to let Michael know she desperately wanted to go back with him, and learn more, and have fun, and sit in the Lay Z boy chair, and eat more Eggos. There was so much she wanted to say, but didn't have the right words to say them. All she had was a feeling in her stomach that only seemed to come around when she thought of Mike.

"I wanted to go home with you, I just."

"I know, I understand," Michael started to finish for her, "It isn't safe."

They paused for a moment, and started to give each other big smiles. Both were over the moon with one another.

"Hey El?" Michael asked.

She acknowledged him, looking up towards his face, a faint smile appearing.

"Sean said that when he was in the lab that they would sometimes let him see videos of the others, like you." Michael gathered his thoughts then asked the remainder of the question. "Did you ever see him in one?"

Eleven looked away with a downcast expression. "Bad," she mouthed, barely audible enough for Mike to hear. Then she recalled a memory from long ago.

ONE YEAR AGO

011 was sitting on the edge of the bed in her cell, her feet moving back and forth.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting.

She tried to count as high as she could just to pass the time, though she could only go so far. Her "educational" experiences were never that extensive, the people dressed in white only taught her the most basic skills needed to perform whatever tasks Papa wanted her to accomplish.

Suddenly the door opened, letting light pass into the small space. 011 pulled her arm up to her eyes to cover them until they were adjusted to the brightness. A shadowy figure loomed in the doorway. "I need to show you something 011." The man said. His hand gestured for her to follow him. He was wearing a black suit on and his posture was straight, with white hair.

"What is it Papa?" 011 asked, raising a hand to hold Dr. Brenner's. He held her hand and guided her through the hallways of the labyrinthian structure. The halls were narrow, and cold. Dull lights that were enough to put you to sleep lined the wall every few feet or so. 011 curiously looked at every door they passed. Some had windows, and others didn't. She would always want to see what was inside, but Papa never let her.

"I'm going to show you what I want from you in the future." Papa said.

011 just looked up at him and nodded as they progressed further down the hall. Once they arrived at the right spot Papa opened the door. The room was small, but well lit. White tile on the floor, and in the center was a Table with a TV and VHS player atop it. An old wooden chair next to it.

"Go on and take a seat, I want you to watch something." Papa said, motioning and guiding 011 to her seat. When she sat down the chair moved slightly, so she adjusted herself, moving closer to the edge of the table. Papa picked up a VHS tape and placed it into the VHS player. 011 knew what the VHS player was because Papa taught 011 things whenever she had a question, and the VHS player was one of those questions, but that was a long time ago. When the image flashed across the glass screen 011's eyes lit up at what she was watching, and she became focused.

…

"Okay 002," said a man behind a glass window in the room a boy could be seen sitting in. The glass section of the wall allowed 011 to see the man who was speaking. "You know what to do." The man finished… 011 recognized that the man was Papa.

In the middle of the room, the boy was sitting at a table much like the one 011 was sitting next to. On his table though he had a cage, with a white rabbit inside. Electrical wiring was hooked up to the boy's head, and he was wearing a similar gown to the one she had on. His hair was also extremely short.

011 watched on the tape as the boy lifted his hands towards the rabbit, as if he were going to pick it up. A sudden soft crying came from the audio of the television 011 was watching, and she could feel horror. The boy was manipulating the rabbit.

011 watched in disgust at what the boy was doing.

"Now 002, do what I've asked." Papa requested in the video, concerned 002 would not listen. The boy smiled during his performance and then looked over at Papa, not complying with his request. "I'm having fun though." The boy replied.

She knew if she took her eyes away from the television screen she would be punished, and she didn't want to go back into the tiny dark room anymore. A tear went down her eye when she watched what the boy did next. In the video the boy took both of his hands and finished the animal off, it's body unmoving from its position on the floor of the cage. 011's heart started racing. How can I do this? I don't want to do this, is all she could think. Then the tape ended.

The grip of a hand clasped her shoulder at that moment, bringing her back to reality, it was Papa. "What this boy did was spectacular, but he went too far," Papa started, "I want you to do what he did at the end of the video in the future and nothing else. Understand me?" Papa finished.

011 gazed up at Brenner with tears in her eyes, nodding her head. It was almost certain that she would get in trouble if she didn't agree. Papa kept asking her to do things with her abilities, but it was difficult to. They were getting easier each day, but then Papa would give her new tasks that were more challenging. She didn't think she would ever be able to do what 002 did

And she didn't want to, it was horrible.

PRESENT

Eleven's gaze was infectious to Michael, almost like a disease that cursed his entire body. A fluttering feeling arose in his stomach each time their eyes met. He would finally be able to do everything he promised with El, but there was work to be done, and answers to find. He needed to make sure she was safe for good.

Hopper came out of the room with his uniform on from the Sheriff's department.

"Okay everyone, ready to go?"

They all followed Hop outside and loaded their bikes into his vehicle. Somehow they all fit into the car, but barely.

The headlights shined against the road pavement as Jim drove each individual boy home. Dustin was dropped off first, then Lucas, then Will. Michael asked if he could be last. He wanted as much time with Eleven as possible. He took her time for granted once before, and would never do it again. During the whole trip home Eleven and Michael held hands. The emotions flying around inside of him were out of control, and he could barely contain his joy.

"Okay kid, ready?" Hopper asked as they pulled onto the side of the road in front of Michael's house.

Mike sighed heavily, then turned to Hopper. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Don't worry kid, I'll make sure to bring her over whenever she wants," Jim paused for a moment before speaking again, thinking he might regret what he was about to say, "and you can… come over anytime you want as well." He finished.

"Really!?" Michael excitedly asked, completely stunned by the cop's kindness. It wasn't anything that Mike was expecting to happen.

"Yes, now get inside before I change my mind."

Michael hopped out to grab his bike that Jim helped pull out of the trunk, he looked at El once more before walking across the grass.

Eleven's eyes were hopeful and looked like they did when Mike kissed her in the cafeteria that day a month earlier. She never got the chance to talk to Mike about what had happened, and It wasn't enough of a 'goodnight' for her to just watch Michael walk away from her. She had to do something, obeying the feelings that suddenly came on so strongly. Eleven was afraid of the feeling at first, her hands trembling and her heart racing, but ultimately… she gave into it.

"Mike!" the young Wheeler boy heard, spinning his head around. Eleven burst through the back door of Hopper's vehicle, running up to him.

"Kid Wait!… Oh forget it." Hopper said, a smile indicating he knew something cute was about to happen, and who was he to stop it.

"Eleven wha?-" was the only thing Mike could get out before Eleven's warm lips pressed against his. It was only for a moment, just like a month ago, but the world crumbled around Michael Wheeler, and he could no longer feel.

No nightmare could haunt him,

No pain could hinder him,

Nothing could stop him… No Demogorgon, and certainly not Sean either.

Mike was on top of the world.

When she stepped back and looked at him, Michael thought his legs would give out. His face looked shocked, drained of color except for the redness on his cheeks of course, but happy all at once.

Eleven became worried, unsure if what she did was correct, or even okay. She just acted on instinct and impulse after all.

"Wow," Michael whispered.

"Okay?" Eleven asked.

"Good, pretty good." Michael replied with a huge smile, red still apparent on his cheeks, even in the darkness. His elation bursting from his face.

Eleven flashed Michael a huge grin, satisfied with her success.

"Goodnight Mike."

"Goodnight El."

Then, under the now moonlit and starry sky – its light draining to the Earth below – Mike and El walked away. Each of them smiling and anxiously awaiting to see each other once more.

Michael walked up his short front porch and put a hand on the door to open it. He turned around to see Hopper drive away, El in the window watching him as they passed by. No lights were flickering tonight.

"Hi Honey! How did it go?!" He heard Karen ask from the living room as he stepped inside. She must have heard him enter the house.

"It went great! I had an amazing time!" Michael replied as he ran downstairs. He unloaded his backpack onto the floor of his basement, and looked at the blanket fort. Still wish she could stay here, He said to himself. Then he grabbed his sketch book and campaign notes, heading to his room.

When he walked through the hallway his sister's door opened. Jonathan revealed himself and Michael smiled at him. "I Knew it." Michael said, almost shouting.

"Shhhh," Jonathan said with a smile on his face, raising his finger to his lips. "Don't tell Will or my mom okay?"

Jonathan wasn't sure if whether Nancy was really into him. His doubt flooded his brain, but when a pretty girl who helps you face off against interdimensional demons who hold your brother captive for a week in a plane of reality other than your own asks you to come over to talk… The correct response is… Yeah of course I'll come over. Jon guarded his feelings, and didn't want to get hurt.

"Okay, I promise." Michael said, putting a fist to his heart, indicating it was a promise he wouldn't break.

"Thanks Mike," Jon said putting his hand on Michaels head as he walked past him. "Have a good night. I'm sure I'll see you later."

"I bet you will." Mike replied, jokingly making kissy faces at him to embarrass him.

The door to his sister's room opened slightly, a head peeking out. "Hey little brother, how'd it go?"

Michael turned around and tried to speak, but couldn't. He just sat there, almost teary eyed, with a smile on his face. Barely able to control the emotion and happiness coming from within him. Nancy just watched, a confused look on her face.

"What happened," she began, "What did you guys do?"

"She's back sis… Eleven's back." Michael choked up. Nancy put a hand on her mouth in shock and fully opened her door to meet Mike in the hallway.

"How? Where was she?" Nancy asked, but it was no use. By the time she started asking questions Michael had buried his head into his sister's waist, letting the emotion fly out; the joy, the anger, the sadness, the hate, all of it. He never really had a chance to express himself in front of Eleven today with all the boys around. His sister was the only other person he trusted.

They stayed like that for a couple of minutes before Nancy pulled away and asked a question. "Where is she now?"

"At Hopper's house." Mike said.

"Why there?" It was evident that something bad happened, or else Hopper wouldn't have taken her. She knew her brother too well, and if everything was okay she'd be here right now.

"We're in danger again, and you have to be prepared." Michael whispered. "There are others out there like El, and they're not friendly." Michael explained.

"And also…" Michael began, head down.

"What?" Nancy asked.

"The monster is back."

Nancy's face turned sour in that moment, not sure what to think, her mouth open in disbelief. She needed to warn Jonathan.

They exchanged hugs once more before finishing they're conversation. Michael described Sean, and the events of earlier that day. She just couldn't believe how fast everything was moving. One month ago Eleven disappeared, and in the span of less than a day, she was back and with new threats apparently.

After they finished talking Michael headed to his room to get to sleep. Nancy walked back into her room, a million thoughts going through her head.

Michael pulled his sheets over to the side to make room for his little body to enter. Hopping in with one foot then pulling the rest of himself in, he settled himself down for the night, unable to sleep, but he didn't care.

Then he heard a peculiar voice.

"Mike?" It said.

Michael shot up and looked around the room. "El?" He asked, looking to see where it came from. Was she hiding in the closet?

"No Mike, I'm here." Eleven said again.

The feeling was strange, almost like a dull headache, but Michael gathered she was using telepathy to speak to him.

"I can't speak long. I just." Eleven said, cutting herself off.

"Just what?" Michael asked aloud. In amazement that he was speaking to her from so far away.

"Miss you." Eleven finally answered after a long pause.

"Oh, well, I miss you too El… but you're safe. Hopper won't let anything happen to you okay? I promise." He reassured her.

"Promise?" She asked.

"Promise."

"Okay... Goodnight Mike." She said. No other words came.

Michael flopped back down onto his pillow with thoughts of El flooding his mind. Realizing he wasn't sleeping in the blanket fort, he laughed to himself. He didn't need the fort anymore.

He vowed to himself he never would.

Oh goodness! So much is happening. I'm so excited!

Aren't Eleven and Mike just so cute! :D (Mileven! 100%)

Thank you to everyone who has read! I appreciate your time.

More to come soon, but until then. Have a great day!

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