CHAPTER 14
They showed up at the hospital one hour before El's operation. Joyce bought some muffins, croissants, coffee and orange juice from the cafeteria, and they had just enough time to finish their breakfast before Dr. Epstein arrived in the waiting period room to meet Kali. He asked her to come into his office, and El had gone in with her for support. Thirty minutes later, her consultation was over, and it was time to get El prepared for her procedure.
''It's going to be fine,'' encouraged Kali. ''You'll wake up in 6 hours, and it'll be done.''
''Yeah,'' said El. The nerves were starting to kick in, even if she did believe everything would be okay.
''She's in good hands,'' reassured El's nurse. ''Dr. Woodrow is an experienced surgeon. And Dr. Epstein will be in the room the whole time.''
El nodded. Mike reached for her hand, sensing her discomfort.
A second nurse appeared to retrieve Kali for her first scan. ''Prasad, Kali?''
Kali turned to El and took a deep breath. ''I guess it's never a good day to find out if you have a brain tumour.''
''You'll be fine,'' said El. ''We're both going to be fine.''
They hugged it out one last time, then she was gone.
''Jane, I need you to go put these on,'' said the nurse, handing her a hospital gown and bonnet. ''There's a bathroom down the hall. Fifth door to your right.''
''Alright,'' said El, trying to keep her voice steady.
''We're right here, El," comforted Mike. "We're not going anywhere. You've got this.'' He kissed her on the cheek, and she gave his hand a quick squeeze before disappearing.
''I'm terrified,'' declared Hopper when she was out of sight.
''Me too,'' added Joyce. ''I'm shaking like a leaf.''
Mike had to admit he was incredibly nervous as well. But all three of them knew they couldn't let it show in front of El.
''Guys, here she comes,'' he whispered.
''Okay, time to say your goodbyes, Jane," prompted the nurse. "The next time you see them will be after your surgery.''
El turned to look at Mike, visible panic in her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her, and she squeezed him back hard.
''You got this,'' he said, ''Then it's over. Forever.''
She nodded, her eyes shining with tears. ''You'll still love me, even without my powers?'' she whispered.
Mike laughed, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. ''Of course. I just want you alive and healthy.''
She wrapped her arms around his waist one last time. ''Okay.''
She turned to her parents, and Joyce and Hopper both hugged her at the same time.
''We love you, sweetie,'' said Joyce while rubbing her back. ''Everything's going to be okay.''
''We'll be there when you wake up, baby,'' added Hopper. ''It'll be over before you know it.''
El took a deep breath, trying to pump herself up. ''Right. I love you guys,'' she called to them one last time before disappearing into the operating room with the friendly nurse.
It broke Mike's heart to see her go, and not be able to follow her in for support. The three of them just stood there for a few seconds.
''We better take a seat,'' said Hopper. ''It'll be awhile before we get to see her again.'' Mike and Joyce nodded in agreement. 8 hours, to be exact.
They headed for the waiting room. It would be a very long day, indeed.
''Mike.''
Mike's eyes fluttered open. It took a second for him to realize he'd fallen asleep.
It was Kali, standing before him. ''Hey,'' she said.
He sat up straight, stretching out his legs. ''What time is it?'' he croaked.
''1h30,'' replied Kali. ''Where are Jim and Joyce?''
''Jim had to go to work,'' he informed her, still trying to shake off the grogginess. ''Joyce must be here somewhere.'' He looked around the waiting room, but saw no sign of her.
''I brought coffee,'' said Kali, holding out a cup for him. ''Wait… do you even drink coffee?''
''Not really,'' he said, accepting it nonetheless. ''I've been trying to get into it, though.''
Kali nodded. ''It takes a few times. But once you get used to the taste, you're hooked.''
''So I've heard,'' replied Mike, taking a sip. It was way too strong, but he decided to keep drinking it anyway, not wanting to chicken in out front of Kali.
''Did everything go alright with your scan?'' he asked her, trying to be friendly.
''Okay, I guess. I won't know the test results for 5 days,'' she responded. ''It's kind of a long wait.''
''Yeah, I know, trust me,'' said Mike. ''It feels like forever.'' Kali nodded absent-mindedly, her gaze fixated on the floor.
''I know it's hard,'' he added. ''But try and stay busy as much as possible. It'll take your mind off it.''
''And by stay busy, do you mean get wasted, like you did?'' retorted Kali. Mike shot her a look.
''I was kidding, jeez,'' she said, sitting down next to him. ''To be fair, it's not a bad plan.''
''Just leave El out of it,'' he snapped.
''Oh come on, Mike,'' said Kali. ''I know you don't like me, but do you really think I'd get her wasted after a brain surgery?''
Mike folded his arms across his chest. ''I don't know. You made her part of a part of your criminal circle and tried to make her kill someone. Pardon me if I think your judgement on what's right and wrong is a little twisted,'' he spat.
Kali looked down at her coffee. ''You have the right to hate me for that,'' she said. ''It's not my proudest moment. But I was so, so angry back then, Mike. I couldn't focus on anything else. I was wounded, and I lashed out. At everyone, in every way possible.''
''I was just so happy to have found someone from the Lab, like me,'' she continued. ''Being three years older than Jane, I actually remembered her when she came out to see me in Chicago. I remembered our time spent together at the Lab - she didn't. She was too young. But she was like my little sister, even back then. I didn't want to let her go again. I wanted us to stick together. I knew nothing would be able to stop us, with our powers combined. It was selfish, and I see that now.''
''I would never use her like that again. I didn't even realize I was using her back then,'' she said. ''But I've changed, Mike. I'm not angry like I was back then. I've been doing therapy to work through my issues. It's still a process, but I'm not giving up.''
Mike looked sideways at her, but kept silent.
''I've been working towards getting my high school diploma. I'm working as a waitress in this crummy restaurant in downtown Chicago, trying to save up some money to go to college. I want to become a psychologist, to help people deal with their issues. It's worked so well for me. I want to help others, too.''
Mike took a sip of his coffee. ''That's… actually really a really good plan, Kali.'' Kali smiled at him.
''Look, I don't hate you,'' he conceded. ''I just… I just don't want anything bad to happen to El. I'm kind of protective over her.''
''Kind of, you think?'' said Kali, laughing. ''No, but it's cute. It's obvious that you love her very much. She's lucky to have you.''
''I'm lucky to have her,'' he replied. They both took a sip of their coffees.
Kali broke the silence. ''So… are we cool?''
Mike offered her a genuine smile. ''Yeah. We're cool. Just as long as you don't try to corrupt my girlfriend again.''
Kali laughed. ''I promise, Mike.''
''She's awake!''
''She is?''
''I think I saw her eyelids move.''
''Eleven?''
El slowly felt herself regain consciousness, feeling like a thousand ton train had hit her in the face. She forced her eyes opened, and regretted it immediately. The white neon lights were blinding, and caused her head to throb even more.
''Mike…'' she whispered, trying to find his hand with her eyes closed.
She felt him grab her hand immediately. ''I'm right here El,'' he told her softly. ''You did so good.''
''Just take it easy, baby.'' It was her dad's voice this time. ''Keep your eyes closed. Just rest. We're all here for you.''
She meant to smile, but it hurt her face to even try.
She faded back to sleep.
In her dream, El was at her biological mother's house, sitting on the couch with her. The sunlight was shining through the windows. The whole room smelled like fresh flowers.
''You're free from them, Jane,'' Terry whispered to her, gently stroking her face.
El placed a hand over her mother's. ''Mom...''
''They've got no power over you anymore,'' said Terry. ''You're free.''
And then El woke up.
El opened her eyes, and it was much easier this time around. The neon lights of her hospital room were dimmed, and her head hurt a lot less. She looked around - her room was decorated with balloons and flowers. Mike was sitting beside her, as were Hopper and Joyce.
''Hey,'' said Mike, leaning forward in his chair to take her hand. ''You're awake!''
''Hi,'' she croaked.
''Hi.'' Mike beamed at her. ''Welcome back.''
''Hi, baby,'' said Hopper. ''How do you feel?''
''Okay,'' she replied, sitting up in her bed. ''My head still hurts a little bit, but I feel alright.'' She reached over to touch the bouquet of roses that was sitting on her nightstand. ''Did you guys bring in all these decorations? They're beautiful.''
''We did… but it wasn't just us,'' said Mike. ''Guys, come on in.''
All her friends started pouring into her room - Max, Lucas Dustin, Kali, and even Will.
''Surprise!'' they all cried. El jumped at the noise.
''Shh, guys, keep your voices down,'' instructed Hopper in a hushed voice.
''Surprise,'' they repeated in a whisper.
El couldn't believe it. ''Guys, oh my God. You're all here!'' One after the other, they came forward to give her a hug.
''Will, you're back,'' she said.
''Of course,'' he replied, taking a seat at the foot of her bed. ''I wanted to be here when you woke up. I'm sorry I didn't come back to see you sooner.''
El offered him a warm smile. ''Don't worry about it.''
''Well, well, well, quite the welcoming party you've got here, Miss Hopper,'' interrupted Doctor Epstein as he strolled into the room. ''You're a lucky girl.''
El smiled proudly at all her friends. ''I am.''
''I just wanted to check up on you, how do you feel?'' he asked.
''I'm alright. A little headache, but I feel good.''
Dr. Epstein wrote something down on his clipboard. ''I wanted to tell you that everything went according to plan. It took us a little longer than expected to remove the tumour, and device, from your brain, but the surgery was successful. You're officially home free, Jane.''
Everyone started clapping and hooting. El felt the tears starting to form in her eyes. Never had she felt so thankful and blessed.
''You're going to need plenty of rest, however,'' added Dr. Epstein. ''You won't be able to do much for the next three weeks. I'm afraid you'll have to miss your first week of school.''
''I'm sure she's heartbroken, doctor. Totally devastated,'' said Dustin.
Dr. Epstein chuckled. ''You're a funny one, aren't you?''
Dustin shrugged. ''That's what they tell me,'' he replied, flashing his pearly whites.
''Please ignore him, Dr. Epstein,'' said Hopper, looking over at Dustin with darts in his eyes. ''You were saying?''
''We'll have to keep Jane at the hospital for a few days,'' Dr. Epstein continued. ''Her friends can come visit during visiting hours, but only three at a time,'' he said, looking around at everyone to make sure his point got across.
''Got it,'' affirmed Max. ''Can we stay for a little while, doctor?''
Dr. Epstein smiled. ''Of course, just make sure to keep your voices down. You all have to be out of here by eight, when visiting hours end.''
''I can stay overnight though, right?'' asked Mike.
''Of course, Mr. Wheeler,'' replied Dr. Epstein. ''I have a feeling that even if we'd kick you out, you'd find a way to come back, anyway.''
Everyone laughed.