Things Got Stranger ((Steve Harrington))

The Gate

"Eleven," Mike said walking up to the girl.

"Mike," Eleven gasped, hugging Mike as hard as she could. Everyone watched as the two reunited and talked. Mike eventually realized that Hopper had been hiding her all this time and his anger rose.

"Hey. Let's talk. Alone." Hopper said to Mike pulling him towards the hallway. Once the two were out of sight, Lucas, Dustin, and James went over to hug El.

"Let's give them some privacy," Jonathan suggested to the other teenagers he was standing next to. Jonathan led Nancy, Steve, and Diana into the Byers kitchen. Nancy and Jonathan sat down at the table while Steve and Diana leaned on the counters.

"This has been the craziest day of my life," Diana admitted, "And I fought a monster last year."

Everyone let out a small laugh. It was the first time all of them had been together, without any awkward tension.

"I can't believe you kept that bat," Nancy said gesturing to the nail bat that Steve was just holding.

"I had to, I mean, I used it in the most heroic way. I couldn't just get rid of it," Steve joke.

"Wow, way to stay humble man," Jonathan laughed.

"I mean he did save my life with that bat, I think he's allowed to gloat a little," Diana spoke up.

"Thank you D," Steve said smiling at the tiny girl beside him. Everyone stopped talking when Joyce and Eleven came into the Kitchen. They had been following the map and it lead them to the kitchen where the gate was.

"Do you think if we got you back there, that you could close it?" Joyce asked pointing at the gate.

Minutes later, everyone was gathered around the table, discussing what to do about the gate and the army.

"It's not like it was before. It's grown. A lot," Hopper said, "And, I mean, that's considering we can get in there. The place is crawling with those dogs."

Diana felt herself shake at the thought of those dogs. Those were the things that had killed her father. Steve placed his hand on the small of her back which brought her back to her senses and back to the conversation.

"I can do it," El said referring to the gate.

"Even if El can do it, there's still another problem," Mike interjected, "If the brain dies, the body dies."

"I thought that was the whole point," Max spoke up.

"It is, but if we're really right about this I mean, if El closes the gate and kills the mind flayer's army-"

"Will's a part of that army," Lucas said.

"Closing the gate will kill him"

Everyone headed into the room where Will was. He was covered in sweat and looked exhausted.

"He likes it cold, " Joyce stated, going over to the window.

"What?" Hopper questioned.

"It's what Will kept saying to me," Joyce explained. Diana waited out in the hallway with Lucas, Steve, and Max. She heard that they would need to burn the 'virus' out of him. Everyone got to work getting ready to help Will.

Diana walked out front with Joyce and Jonathan as Hopper carried Will to the car. Hopper was explaining to them where to go. The sound of the front door opening made Diana jump but it was only Steve coming out.

"Guess we have to watch the kids," He said slipping his arm around her waist. The two watched as Jonathan and Joyce drove off and El walked out the front door with Mike right behind her. They were about to kiss when Hopper called El away and they left for the 'gate'.