Beyond the Battle: Action & Consequence (Steddie, Stranger Things)

Chapter 32: Is It Finally Over?

El and Will were clearly exhausted, huddled together on one of the couches, barely awake as Owens' people dealt with the clear up. Joyce had fed them candy bars already, but that clearly hadn't helped with the fatigue. Steve wasn't much better, but there was no way in hell he was letting on while the government were still in his home. He hadn't trusted them before, now he wanted them gone as soon as possible. 

"You better make sure that madman is thrown in the deepest darkest hole," Hopper growled at Owens, "because if I ever meet him, I am putting a bullet between his eyes."

"The Colonel will not be bothering you again. He has overstepped his authority and will be dealt with accordingly," Owens promised. "We should really get everyone checked out."

The man was mostly looking at Will and El and every protective instinct in Steve fired. Luckily, he wasn't the only one as both Hopper and Joyce stepped between Owens and their children.

"We've got it covered," Hopper said in a tone that was somewhere around absolute zero.

"They have both been through a great deal of stress," Owens pointed out. "After what happened to El during the Starcourt incident I am only concerned for their..."

"Doctor Owens," Steve watched his mom step in, "a moment of your time, outside."

She pointed towards the front door. The flicker of anxiety across the man's face was something to behold and Steve didn't even feel guilty for enjoying it.

"She'll kill us all," he heard a voice snarl from the direction of the pool room.

He turned, just in time to see Colonel Sullivan stagger into the living room holding a gun. There was blood dripping down the man's face from a cut above his eyebrow and his uniform was torn, as if he had been in a nasty fight. His face was also twisted with rage.

Steve was shocked when Owens stepped between the colonel and El and Will. He had his arms up in a placating gesture.

"Jack," Owens said in a calm even voice, "it's over. Put the gun down and we can talk about this."

"You're putting the world in danger," Sullivan snarled.

"No, Jack," Owens said, placating, "Eleven was never the danger. She destroyed Henry Creel, One, he was always the danger. He was the killer."

"They're all killers," Sullivan said, "and she's infected another one."

"That's not how it works, Jack," Owens replied. "It's not an infection..."

"Traitor," Sullivan snarled.

The shot was devastatingly loud, and Owens stepped backwards looking shocked, stumbling as blood bloomed from the side of his head. Steve reacted without thinking, hand shooting out as Sullivan focused back on El. The gun fired a second time, but the bullet lodged harmlessly in the ceiling as Steve ripped it from the man's hand. It flew through the air, smacking into his palm.

Sullivan had about a second to look scared, before Eddie leapt over the couch with preternatural speed, taking him down with a snarl. The colonel didn't stand a chance when faced with a very angry vampire.

Steve had no time to celebrate, however, as the world lurched. He fell to his knees, stomach twisting. The gun was very much bigger than a ball bearing and he had moved it a great deal further. His system made him pay. It was only through sheer force of will he didn't puke messily all over his mother's plush rug. Deep shuddering breaths were about all he was capable of.

"Oh shit," Robin said, on her knees beside him almost instantly.

Her hand on his back was about the only thing not spinning.