A/N: A new chapter! I hope you guys like this. I've had a bit of a crazy (and shit) day including starting it with a mild car crash, seriously considered quitting my job and then having an hour-long meeting with my boss about how I'm not reaching their goals. It's been fun. So, I hope this helps improve all of your days!

Chapter 46

"Are you sure this is…okay?"

I looked down at the kid. She had stopped before we got close to the door. "Positive. My parents are great. They're going to love you, okay?"

It had taken a bit before Hopper finally agreed with me. We were starting small. He introduced her to the people at the station like Flo, Powell and Callahan. Flo was unimpressed with Hopper for "keeping this sweetheart all to himself" before offering to teach her how to mend clothes, while Powell and Callahan were surprisingly natural with her. Now she was coming home with me.

"If you ever need a break or space though, just let me know, okay? There's no shame in getting overwhelmed." She pressed her lips together but nodded sharply. I gave her a soft smile. "Okay, ready?" I offered my hand, just as a gesture of support and comfort if she needed it. This was going to be a whole new situation for the kid. The least I could do was help where I could considering I was the reason she was going into this.

She took it and held on tight.

I led her to the front door and opened it. "Mom? Dad?" I called out. It took a few seconds to find them. They were in the backyard. Deanna looked like she was gardening while Sam was standing by a wheelbarrow filled with flowers and offering suggestions.

"Get me the trowel, please, dear," Deanna said and we watched as Sam dutifully found it and handed it over. She looked up and paused as she caught sight of us. "Oh. Hi honey, who's this?"

"This is Jane," I said, glancing back at El who looked a little out of her depth. "She's one of the kids I've been babysitting. For Hopper."

"Hopper?" Sam frowned slightly. "He doesn't…" He trailed off, unsure how to continue that sentence. Deanna stood up and brushed herself off.

"What your father means is that we didn't think Chief Hopper had any children."

"He does," El said suddenly. "Me."

Deanna smiled at her. "Of course." She looked at me in confusion, expecting me to explain.

"Jane was rescued from a cult," I said, ready with the story that Hopper and I had gone over with El. "The Feds broke it up and got her to her mother but she's…not well. Hopper was the second choice." Seeing the confusion still there, I tried to politely elaborate. "Hopper and her mother had met before. Years ago."

"Oh!" Deanna blinked as realization set in. "Oh you poor thing," she smiled again. "I'm Deanna, Tammy's mother and this is Sam, her father."

El looked up at me. "Tammy?"

"My first name," I explained. "I've been going by Kate."

"Oh, okay."

"Come inside. Have you two eaten?"

"We were just at the police station," I said. "I told Hopper she could stay with me while he sorted things out there. See about getting her registered for school with Beth, but I said I'd continue to help tutor her, get her ready for it. You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not!"

"You're welcome any time," Sam says, looking at El.

"Thank you." El says, smiling at them both. I can practically see them melt. It's a little hilarious.

Sam and Deanna were, in my opinion, the best choice to meet El. I was well aware of how comforting both of them could be when you were forced into a new situation and were overwhelmed. They showed that with me when I replaced Tammy and they were showing it now with El.

They didn't ask any prying questions. The two of them kept things simple, sharing little things about themselves and asking what El was interested in, what future meals Deanna might be able to make for her when she visits again and if she was looking forward to school.

I could see the kid slowly relax as her shoulders dropped and her smiles came more frequently. It was also revealed that Deanna and El both watch the same soap opera and Sam and I shared a look as they went on for a bit about the plot and favourite characters.

When Hopper finally arrived, he seemed to relax at the sight of El engaged fully in conversation. She ran over to him to hug him once she noticed.

"You mind taking her outside?" he asked me. "Just want to talk to your folks about it."

"Sure," I shrugged. I waited for El to say goodbye before we went to wait on the porch. "So? What'd you think?"

"They're really nice," she said softly. "They don't…feel like you do though."

"What?" I looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean?" She looked hesitant to tell me. "It's okay, I'm just confused."

"You don't feel like everyone else," she finally said. "Like you're not…normal."

My mouth dropped open in shock. "What?"

She winced. "Sorry. I shouldn't have said that?"

"No," I tried to reassure her. "No, it's okay. I'm just surprised. I mean…what do I feel like?" That was a weird question to ask. I kind of regretted it as soon as I did.

She seemed to think about it. "Fuzzy. Like when the tv doesn't want to work and the pictures merge together. Not bad like the upside-down. Just…weird."

"Holy shit," I muttered. I leaned towards her a bit. "Okay, that's…understandable. Do me a favour, okay? Don't tell anyone…except Hopper."

"A secret?"

"Yeah. I'll explain when I next see you. Or I'll try to, but no one knows. And if you get any other unusual feelings about anything at all don't hesitate to ask your dad or me."

She seemed to think about it before she nodded. "Okay."

"Thanks." It was at this moment that Hopper came outside. I stood up quickly. He tossed El the keys to the truck and she grabbed them out of the air. She hugged me quickly before she headed for it.

"Thanks for looking out for her."

"She's a good kid," I said. "Also, she might be able to sense that I'm not…well, you know."

He looked at me sharply. "What?"

"Yeah. You should ask her about it. She told me I felt fuzzy."

"Fuzzy?" he asked in a deadpan voice.

"Ask her. I told her I'd explain or talk about it when I saw her next. Figured the cabin was a better choice."

Hopper sighed and took off his hat to run his hand over his hair. It was a nervous tick he had but not one I saw often. "Well, shit."

"Yup. So…have fun!" I grinned.

He did not look amused. "Why am I not surprised you're putting me in more shit to deal with?"

"Your life would be boring without me," I said. "Besides, the feeling is mutual, don't worry."

"Yeah well, try not to get into more trouble, okay?"

"Can't promise that. Look at where we live."

"Don't remind me."

I hated the mall.

It wasn't entirely logical, even if I could claim it was because of the small business closures. It was because it all felt so achingly familiar, even with some of the stores that I knew closed years ago back home. If I closed my eyes, I could be home.

Still, I was here for one thing and one thing only, to see Robin at her job. And possibly find out why Steve was avoiding me and get free ice cream. Thankfully, the place wasn't as big as others I had been to in my life and it wasn't hard to find where the shop was. I walked in just as Erica and her friends passed me leaving it. Erica stopped and turned to face me, hand on her hip.

"When are you coming over again?"

I grinned at her. "Miss me already?"

"No. No one else knows how to make those sandwiches."

"It's okay to admit you want my company," I teased. "Talk to your parents. Ask them when they're going out again."

"I'll do that," she said before turning and walking away. I laughed to myself as I walked into the store.

"You know that shark?" Steve asked, glaring around me.

"She's one of the kids I babysit. How's the work life treating you?"

"Uh, okay. You're here for Robin, right?" He turned and called out. "Robin!" The windows behind him opened and Robin stuck her head out.

"What, dingus?!" She saw me and her expression brightened. "Kate!" I waited as she walked out and noted as Steve stepped back, away from us.

"Hey," I waved. "How goes the ice cream business?"

"Boring and cold, running rings around this doofus," she admitted. She frowned slightly, looking me over. "You okay? You look kind of…rough."

I winced. "I haven't really been sleeping. Plus I got a wicked sunburn at the pool, but it's finally stopped hurting so that's good."

"You're not sleeping?"

"Insomnia's a bitch," I said wryly. "The hardest part is trying not to wake my parents."

"Well, I'd say to call me but I sleep like the dead. My mom has thrown water on me before to make sure I got up for school."

I laughed. I could picture it perfectly along with Robin's shocked face. "I'll be fine. Just gotta find a way to occupy myself when it hits."

"You want some ice cream?"

"Do I have to trade in stock?"

"Cash works."

I started to look at the choices, moving to the side in case others wanted to order. A couple stood out like black currant and Nutter Butter. Neither sounded appealing

"Know what you want?"

"Give me double chocolate chip. Please."

"Classic."

I leaned against the glass as she scooped out the ice cream. Things had gotten easier in some ways with Robin but there was something awkward still lingering. Maybe it was the fact she knew I was from the future…even if the truth was a little more complicated than that.

Steve had disappeared to the back.

"What's up with him?" I asked as Robin handed over the cone.

"Who? Popeye?"

I gave her an unimpressed look at the name.

She shrugged. "Who knows. It's Harrington. One seventy five."

I dug out a five dollar bill and handed it over. "Thanks."

"I don't know what's wrong with him. He acts weird as soon as I mention you. No surprise." She dropped her voice and whispered, "Tammy was obsessed with him."

"Ugh, I know," I said after trying the ice cream. "I've heard the rumours. Maybe I should apologize? Now that things are less stressful, it could be coming back to bite me. That would be my luck."

"I mean, I guess if you want to."

"Well, first step would be getting him to stop running away," I grinned at her.

"You're not used to that, are you?"

"I'm…more used to unwanted attention." I held my hands out in front of my chest, trying to emphasize the bust I used to have. Robin's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

I laughed, right as Steve walked back out from the back. I dropped my hands.

"What…is going on?"

"Nothing you need to be concerned about," I said, grinning at him to ease the sting. He just nodded and didn't come closer. It was going to be a long process. "Anyway, I'm going to go. Call me tonight when you're off, okay?"

"Sure!"

"Alright, bye guys!" I turned to leave. "Try not to eat too much! Watch out for the brain freeze!"

"That's only relevant to one of us!" Robin called out. I turned and pointed at her in warning. She just grinned.

"Ha ha," Steve drawled, looking over at Robin. I waved one last time and walked out.

"I thought summer was a time for no school," El muttered.

"You've been spending too much time with the boys," I teased. "Or too much tv. Either way, there's nothing wrong with learning." We were set up at my dining room table and Deanna had given us a bunch of snacks before she went to her book club. They met once a week.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do I have to learn?"

I leaned back in my chair. "Great question. Simply put, so you can know things, and knowing is half the battle." I looked at her. "I'm going to be honest, okay?"

She nodded. "Okay."

I sat back up and put my elbows on the table. She looked so small sitting there. "It's not going to be easy. Kids in school can mean, especially if they see someone that doesn't match them or what the world tells them people should be. That includes not wearing the same clothes, not having the same friends and not knowing the same things in school that they do. Now the story your dad and I came up with said you came from a cult, that will cover anything odd but I know you're smart. Being at the same level as the rest of the kids in your class…that's going to help you fit in. Okay?"

She seemed to think about it for a moment before she agreed. "Okay."

"Plus, knowledge and learning? That's something others can't take away from you and it'll help you reach other goals in life. So…are you ready to take on math?"

"No."

"Yeah, me either, but we'll get through it."

"Are you going to tell me why you're…fuzzy?"

Thankfully, she asked while we were in the car and I was driving her back to Hopper's. I glanced at her. "Oh, right. Um…what did Hop tell you?"

"That you look like Tammy but you're not. You're Kate. And that I can't tell anyone."

"Well, that's the simple version."

"...And the not simple version?"

I sighed, trying to think of what I was going to say. I didn't expect I would ever tell anyone and yet already four people knew. Not that I could have helped El since I felt like a bad television to her. At least she gave me a chance when we met.

"I woke up one day as Tammy, despite knowing that I was not. I'm not from here. I grew up a long…time away and even in a different country. It was…difficult."

She was silent for a moment. "Do you miss it?"

"Miss what?"

"Your…home. Your family."

My throat tightened as I realized what she was asking. "Every day," I said softly. I cleared my throat, trying to ease the pain that was rising in my chest. "But I think I'm really lucky to have good friends and people who want to help here and now, right?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "I think…"

"Hmm?" I prompted her when she fell silent. She looked like she was trying to figure out what she wanted to say or gather the courage for it. "It's okay. It's a strange thing to know but you can ask me anything if you want. It's fine."

"I was scared too," she finally spoke. "When…when I left the lab. Sometimes…sometimes I wished to go back because it was easy. I knew it. Outside…"

"Yeah," I glanced over and gave her a smile. "I know what you mean. It's scary when you're faced with things you don't know."

"How do you…?"

"Deal with it?" I signalled and turned onto the dirt road that led to Hoppers. "It helps to talk to people, the ones you trust. Some people journal, write things down in a book. Just don't bottle it up. It usually explodes in some way." I gave her a wry smile. "I'm still working on it myself. It's hard." I parked the car and turned to her. "I know I'm…stuck here. At least, I think so from what I've been told. I'm still trying to get used to it."

"What about Tammy? Do you know…"

"What happened to her?" I asked. I waited until she nodded. "No. Her Aunt Debbie is like, psychic, and can sense things too. She told me that Tammy was gone, said something about where she's supposed to be, but she's the one who said I was here to stay."

El reached over and hugged me. I returned it once I got over the initial surprise.

"I'm glad you're here," she said softly.

I tried to hold back the tears that threatened to build up. "Thanks, kid." I cleared my throat. "Okay, come on. Let's get you inside before Hop–your dad shows up and starts questioning what's wrong with us for sitting in a car when there's a whole cabin there."

She giggled at that and then opened the passenger door. "Can we watch Dynasty?"

I tried not to roll my eyes at that. She really needed to stop watching that show. "What about ThunderCats?"

"Okay!"

The conversation with El left me unsettled. It was the reminder that Tammy was gone and that I was never going home. I didn't even bother trying to sleep. I waited until her parents were asleep before I snuck out the front door. I wasn't going far, just to the porch again. I got as far as getting ready to sit on the steps before I stopped. I knew the car that was parked in front of my house. I had seen it before…but I especially recognized the person sitting in the front seat. Curious, and very confused, I walked over, leaned down and looked in. He looked like he was arguing with himself. I tapped on the window and watched Steve jump in fright. I tried not to smirk.

He rolled the window down. "Uh, hi."

"Are you stalking me?" I grinned.

"What? No!"

"Relax," I rolled my eyes. "I'm just teasing. What are you doing here?"

"I, uh…heard you when you were talking to Robin. At work."

I frowned slightly, trying to remember if I had said anything interesting. "You came so I could apologize? Bit late for that."

"Apologize? For what?"

We both stared at each other, totally confused. If he wasn't here for that, why was he here? We both started talking at the same time.

"Why-"

"I–"

We stopped and I motioned for Steve to go first.

"I heard you say you couldn't sleep," he said. "I…I have nightmares too. I thought we could just…I don't know, not sleep together." He winced as soon as he realized what he said and I tried not to laugh. "Not like that," he said quickly. "Just hang out. I mean, not like anyone else here is really going to get it. I mean, they might but…" he trailed off.

"Right," I said, remembering that the others were adults, younger kids or his ex and her new boyfriend. That left him with me."I get it." I thought about it for a moment. "You know anywhere that's open and has coffee?"

It turned out the nearest open diner was off of a highway out of the town. I sat across from Steve. Both of us had coffee and were splitting a plate of fries.

"So…what were you talking about before? About apologizing?" Steve asked as he took a sip of coffee. He made a face and then poured some more sugar into it before sliding it towards her.

"I totally thought that's why you were there," I said. "I mentioned to Robin that I wanted to apologize to you. You know, for being such a creep before. I mean, I'm sure I wasn't subtle." Me, Tammy…was there really a difference anymore? "I'm really sorry if I ever made you uncomfortable. Just know that it wasn't my intention and I'm totally over it. I just want to be friends."

"Oh, yeah." He looked away from me before he ran a hand through his hair. "I know. I mean, you've been cool since the whole tunnel thing. I just…Tommy got into my head a bit after our dance at prom. I'm sorry I've been avoiding you."

I gave a small smile. "Well, we've both apologized and been awkward. What's say we…I don't know, start fresh?"

"Start fresh?"

"Sure." I held out my hand. "Kate Thompson. New member of the monster club."

He grinned and shook my hand. "Nice to meet you, Kate. I'm Steve. Unwilling member of that monster club."

"We need a better club."

We didn't stay long after that. I fiddled with the radio while Steve drove. He surprisingly didn't protest. I heard the beginning of the song and stopped, turning to Steve. Nothing got rid of awkwardness like being ridiculous.

"We can dance if we want to," I sang along. "We can leave your friends behind. 'Cause your friends don't dance, And if they don't dance. Well, they're no friends of mine…"

He looked over at me in surprise but the longer I sang the more I saw him getting into it. It wasn't long before he joined in. "We can dance, we can dance. Everything's out of control. We can dance, we can dance. They're doing it from pole to pole."

By the time he pulled up in front of my house, I was laughing at the voice he was using for the song 8675309/Jenny.

He turned down the radio. "Thanks," he said. "For, you know, not thinking I was a total weirdo when I showed up."

"Thanks for showing up. I really appreciated it and I'm glad things are okay with us."

"Me too. I hope you can get some sleep Kate."

"Yeah, try to get some as well."

I left the car and managed to sneak back into the house, grabbing the note I left on the coffee pot and crumpling it as I went upstairs. Thankfully, they were getting a little used to me sitting on the porch at night.

[tbc]