Even Stranger Things

Now What?

For the next couple of hours, Steve and El took turns sitting by One. It was Steve's turn when One started to wake up. He scooted closer, holding his breath as her eyes fluttered open.

"Hey," he whispered.

"Hi."

"How are you feeling?" He asked as he reached up and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Still a little weak," she sighed. She started to sit up, but Steve jumped forward and helped her lean against the headboard.

"Do you need anything?" He asked gently.

"No," she smiled. "But thank you."

"Of course," Steve whispered. "Do you mind if I ask. . . Why would the lab willingly trade Eleven for you?"

"Because I'm stronger," One sighed. "I was younger when they took me so I went through more and for a lot longer. They wanted me because I can do more than Eleven can. And because I have my abilities under control. El's are still unpredictable."

"You'd think they'd want to train her more," Steve said. He sighed when he hated how that sounded. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to come off that way. I'm still a little confused."

"Eleven and my powers are very similar but very different," One explained.

"What do you mean?"

"We both have the ability to create and manipulate energy," she began to explain. "But Eleven's purpose was different than mine."

"Her purpose?" Steve asked.

"The Doctor created us with a specific purpose in mind. Each weapon has a specialty," One said, her tone changing. Steve noticed it. "Eleven's purpose was ultimate destruction."

"Damn," he sighed. "And yours?"

"Rebirth."

"You healed El," Steve said, mostly to himself.

"It's not just that," One said, clearing her throat. "Eleven's strength is destroying villages. Mine is rebuilding them. And to rebuild them. . . I have to influence people to change."

"Influence. You mean. . ."

"I have the ability to put a thought into someone's mind and make them believe it's theirs."

At this confession, she pulled her knees into her chest. She loosely wrapped her arms around her knees.

"Have you ever. . ."

"Only for the Doctor," she said quickly. "He had me put little thoughts in people's heads. Only people at the facility. Simple things like making Macaroni and Cheese for dinner. Nothing threatening. . . Yet. He had a buyer in place, I think."

"He was going to sell you to someone?" Steve asked, his anger building. He cleared his throat, forcing his anger down. "Did he tell you who he was planning on selling you to?"

"Some Russian scientist, I think," One shrugged. "I'm not sure."

"I'm sorry," Steve whispered.

"What for? It's not like you tortured me until I could control minds."

"Still," he whispered. "You didn't deserve that."

"No one does," One said softly, clearing her throat. Silence fell between the two of them. They could hear the kids packing the car outside, laughing.

"Who's more dangerous?" Steve couldn't help but ask.

"Depends on who has us." One froze when she realized what she said. "It's like any weapon," she continued, her voice dropping. "A gun isn't dangerous until someone decides to pull the trigger."

Silence fell between them. It wasn't uncomfortable, but One had to break it when she couldn't stop herself from asking a question.

"Why'd you come back?"

"What?" Steve stuttered.

"You promised you'd get the kids to safety," One said, her voice dropping to a whisper, "and instead, you came back for me. I don't. . . I still don't understand why."

Steve looked down at his hands and took a shaky breath. He knew the answer but it scared him.

"Why'd you come back for me, Steve?"

Instead of answering her, Steve leaned in and pressed his lips to her's.  He reached up and cupped her cheek, deepening the kiss.

"That's why," he said breathlessly when he broke the kiss. "I couldn't leave you again."

* * * * *

One leaned against the doorframe with her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She smiled and waved as the car started pulling away again. As they left the driveway, One's heart sank.

They had gotten to the end of the road and suddenly stopped. She waited for them to turn towards town, but Steve threw the car in reverse instead. One stood up straighter when Steve threw the car in park and jumped out.

"The offer still stands."

"What offer?" One stuttered.

"The offer to come with us."

One opened and closed her mouth, struggling to find the right words. She held her breath as Steve jogged toward her.

"I know you said you wanted to protect us," Steve said when he was standing right in front of her "And I get it. Really, I do. I just. . . The idea of leaving you all the way out here again. . . I hate it. I hate the idea of you being alone. I hate the idea of being hundred of miles away from you. What if you need help and I'm forty minutes away? Please come back with us, with me."

"Steve," One stuttered. He closed the small gap between them, standing inches from her.

"Please," he whispered. "Don't let me leave you again."

"It's easier," she whispered.

"No," he said firmly. "It's not."

He looked deeply into her eyes as he pulled her even closer. "You can trust me," he whispered. "I'd never hurt you, Anna. And if anyone were to try. . . I'd protect you."

The tension between the two was thick and intense. It broke when the two heard the kids jumping out of the car. Steve took a step away from her as El ran over.

"He's right," Eleven said. "One, I know why you think you have to live out here but that's no way to live. You don't have to be by yourself. Come home with us. Please?"

"Eleven, I can't," One stuttered, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Why not?" Steve asked. "Because you think you're too dangerous to be around us?"

"It's like I told you earlier," One sighed, "Eleven and I were built as weapons. If I fall into the wrong hands. . . Plus, the doctors still expect me to participate in experiments. If I don't show up, they'll come looking for me."

"We'll protect you," Dustin said as he walked over. He looked over at his friends for confirmation.

"That's what they do," Eleven chuckled.

"Anna," Steve lowered his voice as he stepped directly in front of her. "Please come with us. You can have a nice life, a real life, with people who care bout you and want you to be safe. Please."

"Steve," One sighed.

"Please, Anna," Steve begged. "I won't leave you again."