It had been years since Hopper had experienced a night like this. It brought back memories of his days as a homicide investigator. When Hawkins' boredom became unbearable, he fantasized about having a little more action. But the memories were always sweeter and less painful than the ice pack he still wore on his head.

They had hit him hard. He was still processing what had occurred. It more than made up for Harrington's fines and missing yard gnomes. Who was that woman? Most importantly, what on earth was she looking for...?

He shook his head and reached for his pack of cigarettes. A couple of soft knocks on his office door were heard. Flo entered with a glass of water and an aspirin bottle.

"How is our lone ranger doing?" She murmured as she slapped the cigarette from his fingers and gestured to the chair across from him.

Hopper sighed as he watched Jane curled up in it, still oblivious to everything that had happened. Flo apparently thought it was a good idea to drive her to the station while her father was still missing.

"Is there something new?" He asked after the pills had passed down his throat.

Flo sighed and rolled her eyes. "The boys are still working on the house, but they think that nothing has been taken. Everything valuable is still there."

Hopper looked at her as he dropped the ice pack on the table. "But, the entire house was a total mess."

She shook her head. "Powell believes it was done to irritate him. Any upset opponent from one of Bob's strange competitions?"

Hopper would have burst out laughing if he hadn't been afraid of waking up his daughter. "Are we referring to the same Bob? The one who apologizes to you if he takes the last donut and eventually offers it to you? He might be an idiot, but not enough to provoke someone, let alone have his house destroyed..."

Flo drew her arms across her chest. "You're the only idiot in this room. Why didn't you request reinforcements? They could have..." She paused uneasily for a moment. "have done something to you."

Hopper reclined in his chair. "Flo... I know you'd cry for at least 30 seconds if I died, but don't worry, I'm tough." He argued, perplexed.

"Only a hard head..." She assured him while feigning irritation. "But, for God's sake, call the boys next time, or I'll be the one who breaks your airhead."

The boys? Hopper thought ironically. He couldn't be offended because Flo reminded him of his mother. She was one of the few people who cared about him, and he was grateful for it, though he would never admit it.

"Anyway," the woman continued as she walked to the door. It was late, and she didn't want to work any more hours. "Some vandals are still responsible. All they've done for Bob is destroy all his trophies."

Hopper furrowed his brow. "What?"

"Yes. So it's clear that it's someone who hates him, right? Some people have a hard time losing in these nerdy competitions. And then there are those who are completely out of balance." Flo's voice faded away down the hall.

His eyes blinked, perplexed. Nothing seemed to make sense. Had they hit him on the head hard enough to make him so stupid? Is it revenge for losing a competition and having someone else take the trophy? That would have made sense if they had been cocky teenagers. Adult nerds, on the other hand. Sure as hell not someone like her. The woman with the pretty smile.

His intuition was the only good thing he'd learned in that job, so he put it to use. His eyes closed, trying to forget the excruciating pain in his nape. He tried to recall what had happened in the previous hours.

Ok. The unknown woman. Her presence was shrouded in mystery. They spoke briefly. He wasn't very bright the first time. And the second time had been a hostile encounter. Despite this, she had shown herself to be determined and decisive both times. She wasn't a nerd, nor was she a vandal. Both are identified by their clothing, but the woman dressed in the most common baggy clothes. She might go unnoticed. Was she trying to go unnoticed? She almost did if it weren't for that pretty smile. And those huge brown eyes...

What the hell are you thinking, Hopper?! Remember, this lovely woman is also the one who disarmed you and pointed your revolver at you! She wasn't some inexperienced amateur! Would she have shot him? He wasn't sure, but why had she helped him break free in the first place? He had no idea. Everything about her was a mystery and he was eager to solve the case.

His desk was a mess of papers. Hopper attempted to clear it in search of a notebook, but instead discovered an envelope. The one Flo had left on it earlier. Hopper was about to put it back on the table because he didn't have time for nonsense when he noticed the stamp: New York.

His throat clenched. He had experienced both the best and worst times of his life in that city. For a few seconds, his body was motionless, as if he didn't know what to do.

He tried to gather his thoughts. "They could've have shot you tonight. In comparison, I'm sure this is some stupidity." Hopper mused as he used a pencil to open the envelope.

A file and a note sealed by the feds fell from the envelope. "As if I didn't already have enough problems..."

It was a warning about two wanted people. They had seen them in a nearby town. The feds were requesting assistance from the local police departments in apprehending them.

"It's not possible. For the love of God, I hope it's not them..." He murmured as he opened the file quickly. The photos of the fugitives were decisive. The mysterious woman now had a name: Joyce Byers. And her less attractive partner: Murray Bauman.

Yes. They were professional thieves who weren't widely pursued outside of New York. But when they were recently linked to the criminal organization known as 'The Snakes', all alarm bells went off.

He couldn't breathe, and the file fell onto the table. He didn't think he would ever, under any circumstances, hear that name again. He had left New York to avoid having to deal with them once more! His life had been destroyed by those bastards, and now, so many years later...

The pencil he was holding broke in half as his knuckles turned white. The noise finally awoke Jane. Her sleepy eyes widened.

"You have arrived at last." She emphasized while attempting to recline in the chair. If there was anything about her daughter that stood out, it was how blunt she was.

"I had been waiting for you." She said it in a huff, her rage evident.

Hopper cursed himself for waking her up; he was already under a lot of stress.

"Yes..." He exhaled laboriously as he made an effort to relax. His goal wasn't to vent his anger toward the young girl. "I couldn't arrive on time."

She interrupted him before he could continue, "Yeah. As usual, something came up! You assured me that I could rely on you at all times!" Glassy eyes emerged from frustration.

Hopper felt a pang in his stomach. His daughter's tears were more painful than his headache.

He tried to defend himself, "Hey, I," but she was clever. Her gaze was drawn to the small bag of half-melted ice and the bottle of aspirin. Concern evolved from rage. Her large, brown eyes grew wide with fear.

"Are you ok?"

"I…" Hopper paused before continuing. Was he going to tell her anything? Flo was right. He had foolishly put himself in danger for no good reason. What would happen to his daughter if he died? Each other was all they had.

"Yes. Yes, of course. I'm always ok." He finally gave a nod before rising from the chair. "Your father is an idiot old man." He explained tiredly as he knelt next to her, at her eye level. "A moron who fell and hit his head. I'm sorry, but... I couldn't make it." Although it was technically a big lie, the outcome remained the same.

Jane's eyes were fixed on the ground as he tenderly cupped her cheek. "Ok. You're right. I wasn't here."

She didn't press him despite everything. "It's ok. I understand."

"No..." He wasn't going to give up this time. "For cookies, I believe it's a little late. But, ask for what you want."

"Whatever?" She inquired, her face beaming with delight.

Hopper felt great relief when he saw her smile.

"You can ask for whatever you want, kid, but with one condition." He indulged her whims whenever he could, but everything had limits. "Leave out the word: Mike."

She rolled her eyes and then smiled slyly. It certainly wasn't a good thing. "Ok. So, I'd like to request two things!"

Hopper burst out laughing. "That's unfair!"

"You said I could ask for anything!" She defended herself while laughing as well.

"Ok. But don't ask for a third thing! Let's see... what does my kid wish?"

She laughed but nodded. "I'd like to see a movie. All my friends have seen it and think it's fantastic."

"Sure!" he exclaimed, relieved that it had only been that. Knowing his daughter, it couldn't be that simple. "So, what's the catch?"

She kept laughing. "I can't go see it unless I'm accompanied by an adult. It's about aliens and it's PG."

He sighed and rolled his eyes. It was, of course, a trap!

"But it's really cool! I'm sure it's fantastic, and you might enjoy it!"

He pretended to be upset, but he eventually gave up. "If that is what you want. Wish granted! And what about the second?"

"I'm starving." She admitted. "Could we stop by and see Benny before school?"

"Would you like a hamburger for breakfast?" Hopper cocked his head in surprise. He had a child he didn't deserve. It was a piece of cake to make her happy. "So first cookies and now hamburgers? You want to make me fat!" he exclaimed. "Come here, little lady!"

Hopper scooped her up in his strong arms and lifted her into a bear hug. She couldn't stop laughing as she clung to him and told him about the movie. Hopper's hands caressed her hair; seeing her so happy made his day, but his gaze was drawn to the file on the table. It wouldn't happen again while he was still alive. He would always protect her from them at all cost.

Joyce didn't finish her hamburger. She was still preoccupied with deciding their next course of action. Her mind couldn't stop racing with thoughts of her son. And for some strange reason, she couldn't stop thinking about the cop too. He seemed nice; if they hadn't started off so badly, she might have talked to him. After all, he had a daughter; perhaps he could understand what she was going through.

But Murray was right. The best thing that could happen was that their paths would never cross again. She needed to get out of Hawkins as soon as possible, but she couldn't stop thinking about those sad blue eyes.

"Are you going to eat it or not?" Murray, who had long since devoured his food, inquired.

She scowled at him but pushed her plate toward him. "I'm not sure how you can be hungry."

"I must confess something. This place may be filthy, but the food is incredible." He smiled and bit into the hamburger, savoring its delicious flavor.

"Joyce, be patient." She grumbled to herself. "By the way, what are you reading in the newspaper with such enthusiasm? I don't think it'll tell us what we need to know."

Murray sighed and rolled his eyes. "I'll leave the investigation to you. You're very good at it." Ironically, he turned the page. "I'm catching up on the local news. I'm hoping they don't show our faces."

"You're always upbeat." Joyce couldn't take any more of this nonsense. "I have to use the restroom. Do you believe I can do it unnoticed?" She scowled.

When Benny saw his next customers, he couldn't help but smile. "Oh! But look who's arrived!" When he saw Jane, he exclaimed joyfully. "The most beautiful princess in the hamburger kingdom! Your usual burger?" As her father sat at the bar, she nodded. "What about you? Is there anything I can get you?"

"I'm on duty. I could use some coffee." Hopper agreed. "The most powerful you have."

"I can pour you a cup of gasoline if you want." Benny cracked a joke. "I heard it was a rough night. Poor Bob..."

Hopper couldn't believe how fast gossip spread in that town. "What?"

"Your men came by earlier for breakfast," Benny admitted, hoping for more information.

Hopper couldn't get over how loud they were. Investigations remain confidential as long as they are ongoing!

"Look. Perhaps now is the time to apologize to Bob. You know..."

"Oh, come on," Hopper grumbled. What a creative way to ruin his coffee! "Don't begin the sermon again!"

"And it wouldn't hurt if you gave him the trophy back. Bob will be upset when he finds out what happened. So at the very least, he'll have one intact."

Hopper puzzledly blinked. "Sorry?"

"Don't you remember? Playing poker…"

Hopper scratched his chin, trying to recall something.

Benny couldn't help but laugh as the cop continued to zone out. "Seriously? I still can't believe it. How could you have forgotten? You began to bluff, wanting to bet on your most valuable possessions. Bob bet his trophy of... erhhh... I honestly don't remember the name, and you bet your Jim Croce vinyl."

"Shit..." Hopper muttered as he realized what was going on. The thieves had left all the valuables in the house. They had, on the other hand, smashed all of the trophies. Except for one. The one he had. That trophy was without a doubt the one they were looking for... Oh, shit!

"Hey, aahhh... I believe we're running late. We'll go with the hamburger."

Jane wanted to say something, but Hopper didn't let her. "Thanks, Benny!" He took off like a bat out of hell.

"Goodbye, Princess!" Benny was taken aback by his friend's rush.

"Bye!" Jane responded politely, shocked as well. She had to sprint to catch up with her father, oblivious to a man hiding his face behind a newspaper.

That man dropped the newspaper with a bang as they were walking out the door. "Shit..." cursed Murray. "Shit. Shit! SHIT!"

To be continued.