Before

Chapter 19

Chapter 19:

A/N: 1024 words!! I hope you all Enjoy!

Hopper opened the door revealing a skinny lady with short dark brown hair. She was wearing a flannel, a jean jacket, and some washed out jeans.

“Hop, what was the big deal that you couldn't tell me on the phone. For Christ sakes, the boys are starting to think we are dating. I had to tell them to mind their own business.”

The lady talked fast taking off her jean jacket hanging up.  Without taking in her surroundings, the woman didn't notice the small bare feet hiding behind Hoppers leather boots.

“Relax Joyce. I didn't tell you on the phone because of what happened last night. Too high of risk.”

Hopper tried to reassure the angered woman but seeing as she wasn't hearing anything he was saying,he stepped towards her. This left Eleven out in the opening. Her human shield no longer hiding her from the stranger.

“Too high risk, us being together, ha, too high risk. You just can't be a man and ask me out properly. I just-”

“Joyce! This is why!”

Hopper pulled Eleven to him and put her in front of him. Eleven gasps and stared at the lady more clearly. She was so pretty, Eleven wished she looked like the new lady, but Papa said she wasn't pretty, not like her

“Eleven, this is my friend, Joyce. Remember I was just telling you about her?”

Hopper talked directly to Eleven looking her in the eyes. He saw some of the small girl's fear leave her face. Joyce stood in the background, she was dumbfounded. Firstly, she had no idea who the child was or why her hair was shaved. She always didn't know how Hopper who was cold as ice since his daughter passed became the guardian of a child. Last thing that hit her was the name, Eleven.

“Joyce, this is Eleven. Benny found her last night. She'll be staying with me for a bit”.

Joyce's face held a thousand and one questions. Hopper took noticed and motioned for her to go have a seat in the kitchen. Joyce took her leave to the kitchen leaving the kneeling man with the frightened girl.

"You're safe here. Joyce is very nice. She'll just be here until I get home. How about I show you the TV while I go talk to Joyce. Okay?”

Hopper led the child to sit on the worn out brown striped couch. Eleven sat down and watched the black screen of the TV come to life. She never saw such a magical device. She wondered if the box had powers like she did. Hopper left it on a channel. It had an educational show on and Eleven was intrigued by all the bright colors and the way the red monster was talking she instantly scooted closer to the tv.

“Alright, kid, I'll be right in the kitchen. You enjoy Sesame Street.”

Hopper knew Sesame Street was for toddlers but the way the small girl reacted he knew in his heart that she was attached to the puppets. He left after seeing the small girl sit in her knees in front of the tv.

Sitting across from the confused woman smoking a cigarette, Hopper sighed. It was going to be a long morning. Thankfully, he made enough coffee.

“Hop, you better explain, and you better explain good.”

“There's not much to explain. Benny told me he found her stealing food in his kitchen. He called me saying to come by. He didn't know what to do with a child, Joyce. Social services was closed and wouldn't come by until the next day. I was going to keep her for one night, but a social worker came and killed Benny. Just shot him in the face.”

Hopper paused letting that information glue to Joyce. He say the tears form in her eyes. Benny was like a brother to them. A happy, good man with a heart of a child. Hopper decided to continue.

“They wanted her.  I'm not sure why or why she is in danger, but I do know she can't go to them.She is frightened easily. Abused, maybe. I don't have many trusted friends, but I have to work. If there is people after her, it would look suspicious if the chief of police calls out. Can you do this for me? I don't think she'll be much of a problem. She's quiet.”

Joyce didn't know what to say. She just nodded, because she didn't know what else to do. She was stunned. It didn't take much for her to know the child she saw was abused. The shaven hair, her name, the filth clinging to her, her clothes, and did she mention HER NAME??

“Thank you, thank you so much Joyce. Listen all she was found wearing was a hospital gown. While I'm gone could you go through some of the boxes. There's some of Sarah's, um, old things. Something should fit her and maybe some of her toys. I can't go through it myself. Thank you again.”

“You're welcome, Jim. I'll get her something to wear, if not I'm sure she can wear some of Will's old stuff.”

Hopper nods and walks out of the kitchen. He throws on his police uniform and grabs his hat. He sees his new ward sitting close to the tv still absolutely in love with the show. With a shake of his head he approached her.

“You shouldn't sit that close it can hurt your eyes.”

He smirks at the more parental thing he could have said in years as Eleven backed up obeying the older man.

“Alright, Eleven, I have to go now. Joyce is here and she'll help get you some clothes. I'll be back by dinner. I promise. Please behave for her.”

Hopper wasn't sure if he should give her some kind of physical comfort or was words enough. That was until he felt arms attack him and wrap around his neck. Eleven wanted all the affection she could get, in case the man didn't come back for her like he promised.