When Hopper said that he had divided priorities, it was a clear understatement. There was so much that he had to do. Find Steve and Robin. Lead the search team. Make sure the kids didn't do anything reckless. Help Joyce recover after Bob's death. Comfort Robin's parents. Get in contact with the Harringtons. Take care of El.

He didn't know what was the hardest thing for him right now, but at the moment, as he wiped huge beads of sweat from El's forehead, he felt pretty hopeless. Whatever had gotten into her when she was bitten by that…thing was affecting her more than anyone thought possible. Not only were her powers gone, but she had gotten sick. Really sick. But they couldn't take her to the hospital, could they?

"Mike?" She asked softly, and the kid, who had barely left her side since she collapsed, clutched her hand comfortably. Hopper bit back the response that formed on his tongue at the sight.

"Yeah, El?"

"Could you…" She shakily brought her hand to her throat, pointing to it gently. "Water?"

Mike nodded, rushing to the kitchen. Hopper could hear the tap running as he wrapped a fresh bandage around her leg.

"How are you holding up?" He asked carefully, and she sighed, her eyes drooping down.

"Tired. Thirsty."

"This infection isn't getting better, is it?"

She shook her head no. He felt her forehead, and it was still hot to the touch. He would have to ask Joyce to get more medication.

El was currently laying in Wills's room, limply laying on his smaller bed. As much as Hopper wanted her to be home, in the cabin, there was no fixing that place for a while. This was the best option for her. Luckily Joyce, Will, and Jonathan didn't seem to mind. Everyone didn't want to be alone, it seemed. Not with El sick, and especially with Steve and Robin missing.

Was it a targeted attack from the Russians, or was it one of convenience? He didn't know. But, it was better to be safe than sorry.

Mike returned with the water, giving it to her with a relieved smile.

"Here, El. It's pretty cold, so it should help with the fever."

"Thanks."

Hopper watched as she took some sips carefully, and he glanced at Mike, who's leg jiggled worriedly from where he sat.

"Did you want to go home, kid? I can get you a ride." Hopper asked, but Mike frowned.

"No, I don't want to be there right now. Nancy's going crazy about finding Steve. She's getting really worried."

As they all were. It had been too long since he had gone missing. There wasn't much hope for finding them now, yet they all still tried.

"I don't really understand it." Mike continued, "They broke up but she's still looking for him like they're still together."

"They have a history, Wheeler, and a friendship." Hopper explained with a sigh. "She doesn't want to give up on that. Even though they're not a couple they still care for each other."

"I guess so."

Mike took the empty glass from El's weakening grip and put it on the bedside table, resting his hand on her clammy cheek. Her eyes were closed now, no doubt preparing her for a pained slumber. Seeing El like this…it hurt Wheeler, Hopper could tell. Maybe he really did love her.

"Hopper, come in, Hopper. Over." A walkie talkie buzzed, Dustin's voice coming in. Hopper excused himself from the room, turning the machine up louder.

"What is it, kid?"

"You should say "over" when you're done. It's more professional. Over."

Was Dustin really telling him how to be professional when Hopper was the Chief of Police? He sighed, knowing that he wouldn't live it down if he disobeyed the kid.

"Fine. What is it? Over."

"We've had no luck with any Russian communication. Requesting permission to go to Steve's house. Over."

"Why in the world would you need to go there?"

"To get something that El can use to find him. Over."

Hopper groaned, knowing that that was impossible. There was no way that El would be able to find him, not now. She was too sick.

"She's sick, Henderson. Too sick. Her powers haven't come back and they might not for a while. Over."

Dustin then went silent, no doubt pondering his words and trying to come up with a different plan. Hopper decided that he would stop him before he came up with something else that wouldn't work.

"Listen. I know you want to find them. I do too. But there's nothing you can do right now. I'm sorry. You should just go home."

"I'm not giving up on them. They have to be out there.O…over." Dustin's voice sounded like he was about to cry, and he couldn't help but have sympathy for him. But it was true. He couldn't do anything right now. No one could.

"Neither am I, kid, but we're wasting energy on plans that won't work. Trust me on this, Dustin. Go home and get some rest. Over."

"Okay. Tell El and Mike I said hi. Over and out."

Hopper shut off the walkie talkie sadly, knowing how hurt the kid must be. He wished it could be different for him, for all of them. Yet it wasn't.

He could hear Mike whispering softly to El, who no doubt was whimpering in her sleep like she always did.

"Hopper? Her fever's gotten worse!" Mike exclaimed and he rushed into the room, pressing his hand to her forehead.

Yikes. She was too warm. Way, way too warm.

He didn't know what to do.

"Call Joyce!" Hopper exclaimed, cupping her unconscious body in his arms. "Call Joyce!"

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

As soon as a huge container came into view, Steve knew that it was time for his first real test. Not the simple question-and-answer thing that had been his routine every day, but something that involved more than a table and Brenner. This was something so much bigger.

He was told to get changed into some sort of white suit, one that covered his legs more than the medical gown. His arms were bare, but he didn't find the room cold like he expected.

And the tingling was still there, ever present in his life that was now full of uncertainty.

Doctors swarmed around him, testing his blood pressure, his pupil reactions, fitting that metal contraption on his head. Brenner watched the activities happen, gesturing for one of the men to take Steve's arm and haul him to the container.

"Take the ladder up." The doctor said gruffly, and Steve obeyed him, placing his bare feet on the cold railing. He made his way up, knowing that he would be outnumbered if he did rebel. He could feel Brenner's eyes on him as he stopped above the container, and there was no wonder why. Of course the older man would want to see how Steve reacted to the water inside of it. There was so much of it.

Steve remembered that Dustin had said that El had specific requirements for her powers, specifically the one where she could find people. She would need silence, no distractions, her eyes covered so that she couldn't see, and a salt bath. Was this what Brenner was trying to do for him? Put him in a huge tub of water so that he could access his powers?

Wait. Eleven could find them. Help was probably already on the way. Hope blossomed in his chest at the thought, even the order to go into the water didn't dim it.

They were going to go home soon. He knew it.

The water was cold when he stepped into it, causing him to shiver, but soon the cold went away. He quickly inspected his arm, where there wasn't a goosebump in sight. At least the water wasn't too bad, if anything it was a bit warm at this point. It really did feel like a bath, and Steve wondered why Brenner would give him a gift like this.

"Lay down in the water, Nineteen." Brenner said through a mic, and Steve obeyed him, letting the water cover his back and envelop his body, keeping him afloat. He took a deep breath, more calm than he should be, but he took it as a blessing. This was the first peace he had gotten since he got that…image? Memory? Whatever it was, peace like that was hard to come by, so he would enjoy every moment of it.

"Good. Now, close your eyes and clear your mind. Try to eliminate all of your distractions.

Steve heard a groaning above him, and the lid of the tank was shut, propelling him into darkness. His heartbeat sped up now, but he forced himself to calm down. Not for Brenner, but so that he himself wouldn't pass out. He didn't want to think about what could happen if that happened.

He closed his eyes, clearing his mind. He didn't want to obey Brenner, but he didn't really see what else he could do.

As time went on, he couldn't think much about anything. All he did was float aimlessly, eyes closed, mind empty. It was calming. The warm water lapped onto his skin, making him want to fall asleep.

Outside of the tank there was no peace, and confusion that spread like wildfire.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

"Nineteen? What's going on? Do you see anything?" Brenner asked, his finger pressed on the microphone button, allowing his voice to be heard inside of the tank.

It took the subject a moment to respond. "Nothing but the back of my eyelids."

The doctors murmured around him, and he could sympathize with their confusion. This was supposed to be working. The cold water would help his mind focus on using its abilities, no matter if he was thinking or not. Was the water possibly not cold enough?

"Doctor, what's the temperature of the water?"

"60 degrees Fahrenheit, sir." She responded, checking the scanners. "15.5 in Celsius."

"So it's cold enough. Then why is he not reacting?"

The doctor took another minute to inspect the readings. "Sir…his body temperature is much higher than it should be."

"What?"

"Subject Nineteen seems to be unable to react to the water or the test because he's warm."

Brenner felt the pieces slowly come together. "Are you saying that he hasn't cooled down yet? His body should have been getting cold by now."

"Yes, Sir. I can't explain it."

Brenner clicked on the button once again, casting a quick glance at the Subject's mind readings. Nothing abnormal. Could it be possible…?

"Nineteen? I have a couple of questions for you, and if you answer them honestly, I'll let you see Twenty." He said, knowing that Nineteen could lie unless there was a reason not too.

"What are the questions?"

"How does the water feel? Warm? Cold?"

The Subject didn't even take a second to respond. "Warm. Like a bath."

"What does it remind you of?"

"A shower? A bath, like I just said? Or…my mom, I guess."

As much as Brenner wanted to keep his personal history out of this, he felt that this information was vital to understand what was occurring in Nineteen's body.

"How does it remind you of her?"

"I…I guess I was…five, maybe? I got dirty playing soccer with Tom一er, a friend."

Tommy Hagan, most likely. Brenner knew that his research on Nineteen's past would be useful. It always was.

"My mom got a bit upset, but she helped clean me up before my dad got home. Warm water, tons of bubbles." Brenner could hear a soft laugh from the speaker. "It was the last time she ever felt like a mother."

All of the doctors around him looked at Brenner worriedly, wondering what he would say after such a confession. But Brenner knew about the neglect, he knew about the bad history the subject had. None of this surprised him.

"It appears this test is failing, Nineteen. We're going to get you out and try something new."

Nineteen didn't respond, likely back to his rebellious self. He had a feeling that that wouldn't last too long.

Brenner gestured for the lid to be lifted, and the doctor that had previously assisted him spoke up. "Sir? What's the plan now?"

He took a deep breath. "It appears that Nineteen's powers aren't mental, but physical. We will proceed with physical tests. His body made itself warm in a cold environment, I suspect that he has some sort of adaptation abilities, like he will react to his environment and adapt accordingly."

The doctor nodded, understanding.

"Get another tank ready, but make it see through. I want to see if my theory is correct." Brenner said, and she nodded.

"Yes, sir."