A/N: Hi everyone! Thanks so much for waiting. I've been trying to work ahead because there is a lot that needs to be organized in the next few chapters and we want to make sure it all makes sense. I appreciate your patience...especially as my muse has been running around in the Tokyo Revengers fandom and I've been exhausted now that I'm back working with kids. I hope you like this chapter! Please let me know what you think!

As always, you can find me on tumblr at "asirensrage" where I post snippets, wips, mood boards and more. Also, it's a better place to reach out and communicate tbh. Thanks again!

Chapter 51

It was chaos.

Everyone wanted a look at the second miracle child of Hawkins. They also had some opinions to share on the whole matter. People could barely talk about anything else and it was driving me up the wall if I was honest. It got out that she was found in my backyard and I had been hounded for details. Especially since the Hollands had gone into seclusion in their home with Billy dragged along for part of the ride. The Hollands had been eternally grateful for Billy's role in the entire matter, and Barb's dependence on him, that they invited him to stay. At least until he dragged himself out, but my phone was ringing off the hook and I had to buy extra tapes for the answering machine.

Hopper and I fielded everyone else and I had resigned myself to the fact that there were new rumours running around about why exactly Billy was at my house in the middle of the night—seeing as the Thompsons weren't home. Hopper had called them and they were on their way back, but he and Flo weren't leaving me alone to handle the press on my own. I appreciated that.

My experience as Tammy so far gave me enough practice in dealing with rumours and more than a few people trusted me when I said nothing was going on. The only trouble was that I didn't entirely have a good reason. The cops could be told he was hiding from his dad at my place but everyone else? As far as I was concerned, it was none of their business. Even when it was Robin and Steve.

"But why was he there?" Robin asked.

"In the middle of the night," Steve added, pointing an ice cream scoop at me.

"Well, it's nice to see you two getting along," I said dryly. "All I'm willing to say is a friend needed me to be there for him, so I was. End of story. The rest is his business if he wants to share. Just do me a solid and don't become another one of the crowd gossiping and speculating about it. I'd do the same for either of you. Please."

The two of them shared a look before Robin nodded. "Of course, I just…we're just curious. That's all."

"I know."

"How's Barb?" Steve asked. "Did she really just show up in your backyard?"

Kate shrugged. There wasn't a lot she could or was willing to say. "Yeah."

"Is she okay?" Robyn's tone was curious and almost hesitant. "We…we used to be friends. How is she?"

I wondered if Tammy knew that. Thankfully, I didn't really have to react to that information. I didn't know who Barb was before Billy found her. "Not great," I admitted, "but at least she's safe now so she will be." It was a small comfort and hopefully, it wouldn't be a lie.

"Hey! You're Tammy, right?" I heard someone say behind me and I instantly winced. I was tired of these newshounds and the nosy townspeople.

"Hey!" Steve called out. "Welcome to Scoops Ahoy!" He waved his arms, drawing their attention. "You like ice cream? We got all kinds of flavours!"

"You're Steve Harrington, aren't you?" I heard one of them ask.

Robin waved me forward behind the counter before anyone could stop me. I moved quickly and was ushered into the back. Robin pushed open a back door that led to a long hall. "It leads to practically every store here. If you keep going and take like, the first left, you'll end up at a door that leads to the theatre. You should be able to blend in and get out there."

"Thanks," I gave her a quick hug. "And tell Steve thanks too."

"Sure, now go!"

The fun thing I was noticing about the eighties is that adults tended to gather together when they had a child in common. It wasn't an unusual thing in my world but I always thought a lot of it was forced. The fact was that it wasn't the children being friends that had grouped this bunch together at first…but me. Deanna and Sam made a continuous effort to get to know the adults that I interacted with. It started with Hopper, then included Flo and the Sinclairs, and before I knew it there were potlucks and winter BBQs going on every other weekend. Usually at our house.

I stared at the group that had gathered in the kitchen and living room. I knew some of them well such as Joyce, Marissa and the Sinclairs. People I interacted with often. Others I didn't recognize but they all seemed to know each other and I heard snippets of conversation as I made my way to the kitchen. There was talk of the last time they saw the other's kids and the plans for summer. I heard someone talking about what university their nephew was going to.

"Tammy!" Deanna greeted me with a smile, giving me a one-armed hug. I tried not to melt into the affection. "We were just talking about you!" Deanna turned back to the other person who I didn't fully recognize. "And how lucky it was that you were here when Barb returned."

Ah. That explained the increased numbers.

"And how fortunate it was that…the Hargrove boy was here to help," the other woman added. Deanna's grip tightened slightly.

"What are you implying?" Deanna asked, her smile sharpening.

I cut in before anything could escalate further. "It was!" I grinned at the woman, recognizing her now as one of Billy's fan gallery at the pool. She was close to Deanna's height but Tammy took after her father and I seemed to tower over her. "Billy is a good friend and naturally did what any good person would do when they hear someone screaming in shock. He stopped to check in on me when he saw my lights were on so late. Especially since he had expressed his concern for me being by myself for a week. Thank goodness," I said, not taking my eyes off the woman. "His first aid skills he has from working at the pool were essential! I wouldn't have known what to do! But he really came through."

"I doubt–"

I cut her off. "You weren't there. I wouldn't have been able to do it without him." It was true since he was the one who brought Barb to my doorstep and he had skills I badly needed to brush up on. "It's not like you're insinuating he wouldn't be capable of it, right? After all, we trust him with the safety of our community's children. He's not just some beefcake to ogle at by the pool." I kept my smile in place but raised my eyebrows, waiting for a response.

"Of course not," Deanna added. "He has our eternal gratitude for being in the right place at the right time. I wouldn't have wanted you to deal with it alone."

The other woman muttered something before excusing herself.

"Hag," Deanna muttered.

I burst out laughing before I turned to look at her. "Mom!"

"It's true and you know it." Deanna smiled. "Are you sticking around or do you have plans?"

"I'm going out," I said. "Robin, Veronica and I are meeting up with Carl, Steve and Manny to go mini-golfing. I invited Billy but he's apparently having a hard time. I think Barb imprinted on him."

She laughed at the image that conjured. "Give her some space. It must be easier for her to take comfort in someone new as opposed to someone who she used to know, before everything happened."

I nodded. "Yeah, makes sense." I gave her a quick hug. "I'll be back later, okay?"

Deanna smiled at me before hugging me back. "Be safe and let us know if you won't be back for dinner."

"Okay!"

The others were waiting as I arrived at the mini golf course. It was strange to realize I was taller than most of them, a claim I never would have been able to make back home. Only Steve was taller than me and even then not by much. It still wasn't something I was completely used to. I was only ever reminded when I was in a group and it was made obvious all over again.

"Alright!" Carl clapped his hands together once we were all gathered. "The last hurrah! Who's ready to lose?"

"It's not really the last one," I said. "College doesn't start for a couple months. When are you guys leaving?" Out of everyone here, it was only Steve, Robin and I who were sticking around come September.

"End of August," Manny said. "I'm not going far."

"Mid-August," Veronica added, "but we're going to look at the dorms and everything beforehand, so we're in and out." She winced with a look at Robin who simply shrugged. It wasn't like either of them could do much about it.

"Same here," Carl said. "So, why don't we play and have a good time? Add it to that scrapbook thing Kate got us."

"I brought the camera!" Veronica held up the Polaroid camera that hung around her neck. It was large and clunky and looked dreadfully uncomfortable to have as a necklace. Veronica held up the camera and pointed it toward the boys. Carl jumped at Manny as the flash went off. It'd likely be blurry but hilarious. Especially if she caught Steve's alarmed expression in the background.

She turned towards Robin and I. I threw an arm around Robin and grinned widely, holding the pose as she took the picture. Thankfully, Manny offered to take one of the three of us, even as Veronica shook out the last picture. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to use the camera with ease, as strange as that sounded. It'd been a long time since I used anything that wasn't digital to take photos. Even if I knew the logistics behind it, the others might think it strange if I struggled. I sighed. Despite being here for months, there was always something that popped up that I had to find a way to deal with. I missed Bob all over again.

"What's wrong, Kate?" Steve asked, moving closer once the picture was taken.

"Hm?" I looked over at him and smiled. "Nothing. Guess I'm just…nostalgic." That was ironic, not that he knew. "I'm going to miss everyone when they go to college."

"Yeah," he gave a small smile back. "At least not everyone's going. I mean, we won't be alone, right?"

"Yeah."

"Come on!" Carl called out. "Last one to the putter booth is a rotten egg!"

I snorted, watching as Robin, Steve, Carl and Manny all took off running. I darted forward, grabbing the back of Steve's shirt before tugging him back. He looked at me confused but I just grinned…before running ahead myself.

"Hey!"

I laughed as he chased after us.

I had not improved in mini golf. At all. Steve was staring at me like he couldn't believe how terrible I was at this. Veronica and Robin were talking quietly to each other while Manny and Carl were laughing hysterically about how my last shot bounced off of the windmill and nearly took someone out.

I rolled my eyes before waving again at the couple I almost hit. The woman glowered at me before she was ushered to another lane. Whatever. It wasn't like I actually hit them.

"Can I show you something?"

Robin smiled before motioning towards me. "You're holding your putter wrong."

I frowned, confused. "How do you hold a putter wrong?" It was a putter.

"Let me show you." Robin looked highly amused and I watched her suspiciously until she put her arms around me, like the lead in some rom-com. "Like this." Considering I was taller than her, it was a little hilarious to see her try to show me like this.

"Are you trying to make Vee jealous?" I asked softly.

She laughed. "Not quite." She looks over at the others and grins before trying to show me the proper way to swing. It doesn't actually feel any different than what I was doing before.

"Alright, I'm good," I say after a moment. She just grins at me before moving back.

"Ready for the next hole?" Manny asks. "You're up!"

"Get ready to duck!" Carl teases. I give him the finger before I step up, ignoring the laughter.

"I think I'm going to take a first aid class."

"What? Why? Mini golf didn't go that bad." Steve asked and I pushed his shoulder for the sass. We were back to sitting on my front porch in the night. The sun had long since set and Steve had shown up as usual. He looked a little worse for wear and when I asked, he had just mentioned it was nightmares again, that Barb's return had stirred up some old stuff. I was trying to keep him distracted and we had already talked about our mutual friends.

Robin's teasing at the mini golf course led to a bit of an argument with Veronica. I was trying to stay out of it, at least I assumed I was since I hadn't heard much from either of them since then. Carl and Manny had taken it upon themselves to include Steve in…whatever they got up to. It was nice to know he was gaining some decent friends out of this, especially considering his last ones included Tommy H. and Carol…and Dustin.

"I figure it's a good idea, considering the fact that there are monsters and who knows what running around. With our luck, it's probably not the end of it so first aid might be such a bad idea. That way if anyone gets injured, I'd be prepared for it. I felt pretty unprepared to help Barb that night. I don't want to feel that helpless again."

He was silent for a long moment and we both turned to watch a car drive by. "You think there's more coming?"

I considered how to answer that. It wasn't like I could tell him that the fact that I knew this world had been a show back home meant that something was bound to happen every year until some grand finale. "I think…" I lowered my voice slightly. "I think that when you have things like monsters and government scientists involved, it's never really over until it's all brought to light in some way. Or until they learn to stop fucking around with things they shouldn't."

"Huh." He looked over at me before he nodded. "Can I join you?"

I blinked at him in surprise before I grinned. "Sure! I'll find a course or something. Maybe we can get a bunch of people to do it."

"If you can't, I think Dustin's mom works at the hospital. I could ask her if she could, I don't know, help?"

"Really? That's awesome. Thanks!"

He stared at me for a moment before he ran a hand through his hair and looked away. "Yeah, I'll let you know, okay?"

"Of course."

He stood up suddenly. "I should go. I have work tomorrow and if Robin's going to be sulking…"

"Be nice to her," I said as I poked him in the leg.

He scoffed. "I think it's more a matter of her being nice to me."

I frowned slightly. "I thought you guys were getting along?"

"Yeah, she's just…making fun of me for something."

"Want me to talk to her about it?"

"No!"

I reeled back at the vehemence of his tone. "Okay. Sorry."

"No, I'm sorry. I just…I'll deal with it. Don't worry." He stepped down to the walkway before turning towards me. "Are you working tomorrow? I could stop by after…"

I smiled and shook my head. "No, I'm actually…I'm taking El to go talk to Barb if the coast is clear. She wants to see her so I offered to go with her. Give me a chance to check on Billy."

"Billy?"

"Yeah. I don't know. He hasn't been looking that great the last few times I saw him. Just want to make sure he's okay."

Steve nodded. "I didn't know the Hollands were allowing visitors. I kinda owe Barb an apology too. I just keep thinking, if I'd treated her like a guest, I dunno, been a better host maybe she wouldn't have gotten taken from my place. Let me know how it goes. I'll see you later Kate. Try to get some sleep."

"I'll get right on that when you do," I said with a rueful grin. He waved at me as he headed for his car. I watched as he drove off before I sighed, letting the stress of the past few days creep back in. I wasn't lying that I was worried about Billy, just like I was worried that Robin had done something stupid and was fighting with Veronica now. It was a sharp reminder of how dumb teenagers could be. Myself included.

[tbc]