Chapter Eleven
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The Babysitter's Club

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There was no doubt how much love and adoration Mike held for Eleven. Even though they were barely even teenagers, Olivia could tell that Mike loved Eleven, just by the look that was written all over his face. El's look changed; her hair was grown now and she was dressed in all black. Mike slowly walked up to her, more than happy that she was alive.

            As his mouth started to quiver, he didn't waste a second to pull her into a hug. Olivia tried to hold back her tears, the love between those two was making her teary eyed. "I never gave up on you." Mike spoke. "I called you every night. Every night for-"

            "353 days," She finished for him. "I heard."

            Steve furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and turned towards Olivia who was beside him. "Who's that?" He whispered and gestured towards the girl that everyone's attention was on.

            "Eleven," She answered with a smile.

            "Wait, like the number?" He questioned.

            "Yeah," She nodded. "We call her El for short. She sacrificed herself for us last year. We all thought she was taken by one of those Demagorgons last year, but it turns out she's been alive all this time." She explained. Her mind was racing with many questions. She wondered about what happened with El, how she survived, and where she has been all this time.

            "Why didn't you tell me you were there? That you were okay?" Mike asked softly.

            Hopper stepped forward. "Because I wouldn't let her," He stated. Olivia tilted her head, confused at what he meant.

            Mike turned his head towards Hopper, and raised his eyebrows as realization came over him. "You've been hiding her! You've been hiding her this whole time!" He accuses and pushes Hopper out of anger.

            Olivia stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder. "Mike, calm down," She said gently.

            "I can't calm down Liv! He's been hiding her from me!" He shouted and shoved his small fists at him. Olivia pulled him away tenderly and tried to calm him down. Mike tried to get out of Olivia's grasp and throw more fists at Hopper.

            "Hey hey, let's talk alone." Hopper gritted his teeth, and pulled Mike away to another room. Olivia sighed and hoped that the Wheeler boy wouldn't be too angry with Hopper. Olivia understood that Hopper was just trying to protect El and keep her safe.

            Eleven ran up to Dustin, Lucas, and Olivia and embraced them into a group hug. "We missed you," Lucas smiled.

            "We talked about you pretty much everyday," Dustin confessed. "Especially Liv."

            "Hey!" Olivia nudged Dustin's shoulder then looked back at El. "I just really missed my sister," She admitted to the young girl.

            "I missed you to," El breathed. Once they pulled apart, she looked closer at Dustin. "Teeth," She observed. "You have teeth." The obsversation caused Olivia to giggle, and Dustin grinned widely (that same grin Olivia loved so much).

            "Oh. You like these pearls?" Dustin chuckled and purred. Olivia shared a quizzical look with Lucas.

            "Don't freak her out, Dusty," Olivia teased, but still smiled at her brother and his cuteness. "Oh and I like your new look by the way," She completed.

            "Bitchin'?" Eleven looked at her with a small smile.

            "Yeah," Olivia giggled. "Bitchin'."

            "Eleven?" Max stepped forward and took her hand out for El to shake. "Hey, I'm Max." She said in a friendly tone. Olivia smiled as the girl tried to make friends with her. "I've heard a lot about you." El ignored her and shoved her way through to hug Joyce. Olivia frowned when Max put her head down. Eleven didn't have much experience with people, so Olivia could understand why she dismissed Max, but Olivia still felt bad for the redhead.

            "Hey, don't worry about it," Olivia comforted her. "El just hasn't interacted with many people in her life, so she has some trust issues. But she'll warm up to you in no time, I promise."

            "After Hopper was able to calm down Mike and Joyce talked to Eleven about closing the gate again, the group was crowded over the kitchen table as they devised their plan. "It's not like it was before," Hopper sighed. "It's grown. A lot. And, I mean, that's considering we can get in there. The place is crawling with those dogs."

            "Demo-dogs," Dustin corrected. Olivia put her hand on her head and rubbed her temple in frustration. While the two siblings got along well unlike most siblings, this was one of those moments where Olivia was a little annoyed with him.

            Hopper looked at him. "I'm sorry, what?"

            "I said, uh, demo-dogs," The younger Henderson repeated. Olivia had to admit that the name was pretty clever, though this was certainly not the time for correcting right now. "Demagorgon and dogs, you put them together it sounds pretty badass—"

            Hopper looked like he was done with Dustin and interrupted him. "How is this important right now?"

            "It's not, I'm sorry," Dustin muttered, looking away quickly.

            "How do you live with him?" Nancy whispered to her friend. Olivia shrugged in response, not having an exact answer for her question.

            "I can do it," El spoke up with a look of determination on her face.

            "Your not hearing me," Hopper protested, worried for the girl.

            "I can do it," El insisted again.

            "She can, Hop." Olivia smiled at the girl. "She's pretty badass. She saved us once before, she can save us again. She's a fighter." She spoke, taking El's side. Hopper sighed as he looked back and forth at the girls.

            "Even if El can, there's still another problem," Mike remarks. "If the brain dies, the body dies." Olivia let out a quiet gasp, understanding what Mike was trying to say.

            "I thought that was the whole point," Max added in.

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

            "Will's a part of that army," Olivia clarified, her voice starting to shake. "Closing the gate will kill him." She turned to Joyce with a worried expression, who seemed to be thinking of an idea. "Joyce, what do you want to do?" Olivia asked the scared mother. Without answering her question, Joyce rushed into Will's room with everyone shuffling behind her. "Joyce, are you alright? What is it?" Olivia asked with concern.

            "He likes it cold," Joyce spoke quietly.

            Hopper furrowed his eyebrows. "What?"

            Joyce raised her voice a little. "It's what Will kept saying to me. He likes it cold." She shut down the window. "We keep giving it what it wants!"

            "If this is a virus, and Will's the host, then..." Nancy processed.

            "The we need to make the host uninhabitable," Jonathan stated.

            "So if he likes it cold," Olivia exhales besides Nancy.

            Joyce confirmed what everyone was thinking. "We need to burn it out of him."

            "We have to do it somewhere he doesn't know this time," Mike declared.

            "Yeah, somewhere far away." Dustin agreed.

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            As Hopper gave directions to an isolated cabin to Jonathan, Olivia and Nancy were scouring in the back for any heaters that they could find. There was a comfortable silence between the two friends. With so much going on, it was kind of hard to talk about anything else. Olivia could tell that Nancy was debating to herself if she should go with Jonathan or stay here with the kids.

            "You should go with him," Olivia stated, breaking the silence and voicing her thoughts out loud.

            Nancy looked up at her with a confused look, taken aback by Olivia's statement. "What?" She asked.

            "With Jonathan," Olivia clarified. She could tell that something happened between him and Nancy. While it broke Olivia's heart that Jonathan was in love with Nancy, she just wanted her two friends to be happy.

            "No," Nancy shook her head. "I'm not just gonna leave Mike. I can't leave you here either."

            Olivia walked closer to her, and embraced her in a warm hug. Nancy smiled softly at her best friend. "No one's gonna leave anyone." Olivia assured the girl. "I'll be here to protect them. I'll promise I'll protect Mike."

            Nancy looked down and sighed. She felt guilty for sleeping with Jonathan, when she knew how Olivia felt about him, even if she didn't say it out loud. Yet here Olivia was, telling her to go with Jonathan. Nancy always thought Olivia was a much better person than she was. She was a better sister to Mike than she was, even if she wasn't related by blood. Olivia was constantly taking care of others, yet she never seemed to take care of herself. "But what about you?" Nancy replied. "I can't just leave you here either. You're my best friend."

            "I'll be here," A new voice came up from behind them. It was Steve. Nancy looked at the odd pair who seemed to have grown close these last few days. She never thought she would see those two becoming friends, they were complete opposites. However, now that she saw the two side by side, it made sense. Nancy couldn't help but think how cute they looked together and that Olivia would be good for him, better than she ever was.

            Olivia deserved someone to love and take care of her more than anyone, Nancy thought to herself. And that person could be Steve.

            "I may be a shitty boyfriend," Steve started to say as he began to search for a heater. "But I'm a pretty damn good babysitter. Turns out that me and Olivia make a pretty good team."

            Steve's statement made Olivia giggle. "That's true," Olivia agreed with him and looked back at Nancy. After spending so much time with Steve, Olivia could see how much he had considerably changed. He was so sweet with those kids, and Olivia found it adorable.

            "Are you sure?" Nancy asked hesitantly.

            "Don't worry Nance," Olivia handed her a heater. "Jonathan needs you right now. Steve and I will protect the kids. After all, it's what we do best."

            "Liv-"

            Olivia interrupted her with another hug. "It's okay Nance. Just promise me you'll be safe," She told the girl. Nancy nodded, then glanced at Steve. "Steve-" She felt awful for what she had done to him, and wanted to make a peaceful closure with him.

            "It's okay Nance," Steve said, then looked behind him at Olivia who was already walking back to the house. "It's okay." He told her again.

            "You like her, don't you?" Nancy wondered out loud once Olivia was out of reach. Steve started to stammer in response, which answered her question.

            "Then go get her," She breathed. "You deserve her."

            "But we've only started getting to know each other for like, a day," Steve acknowledged.

            "Yeah," Nancy sighed. "But I saw the way you looked at her. And I also saw the way she looked at you." She paused for a moment. "Just... promise me you'll protect her, okay? She's my best friend. I've lost someone before, I can't loose her either."

            "I will," Steve nodded. Noticing Nancy still looked guilty, Steve gave her a thoughtful look as if to say that he had forgiven her, and that everything was going to be okay. With that, he went in the direction Olivia had gone.

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            As Olivia, Steve, and the kids watch the group leave, Olivia put an arm around Mike. "I'm worried, Liv. What if she doesn't make it? I just got her back, I can't loose her again." Mike expressed as they walked back into the house.

            "She's going to make it. She's Eleven. She's tough," Olivia assured him.

            Meanwhile, Dustin rushed to the living room, where the dead creature had laid, and started picking it up. Olivia stared at him with a baffled look. "Dustin!" She hissed. "What are you doing?"

            He grabbed a blanket from the couch and wrapped it around the creature. "Um, I'm going to keep this thing, so I can become famous from this discovery." He said it like it was a normal thing to do. "Uh, a little help please?" He gestured. The kids, including Olivia, stepped back, not wanting to touch it.

            "Alright, fine, I'll help," Steve sighed, taking it from Dustin. After a few minutes, she decided to follow after them when she heard a clatter from their direction. She let out a sigh of frustration when saw Dustin emptying out the refrigerator. "Alright, it should fit now." Dustin said. She stepped over the mess and made her way towards Steve.

            "Is this really necessary?" Steve asked the younger boy, holding the Demogorgan.

            "Yes, it is, okay," Dustin heaved. "This is a ground-breaking discovery scientific discovery. We can't just bury it like some common mammal, okay? It's not a dog."

            "I don't think Mrs. Byers would like to see that thing in her fridge." Olivia scolded, putting both hands on her hips. "I mean, I know I wouldn't want to see a terrifying monster from another dimension in my fridge." She sighed, wondering how they had ever gotten into this whole mess in the first place.

            "Um, okay, first of all, it's a demo-dog Liv. Demo-dog." Dustin clapped his hands to emphasize his point. "And second of all, what's your point?" He shrugged. "Like I said, I could be famous for this discovery." Olivia shook her head in disbelief.

            "Okay fine," Olivia gave in. "But your explaining this to Mrs. Byers, alright?"

            Dustin nodded as Steve began to shove the demo-dog in. Olivia watched the two and just shook her head with disapproval. "Goddamn," Dustin muttered. "And thanks for your help, Liv," He said sarcastically and shut the door.

            "What? I didn't want to touch it," Olivia exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.

            "I can't believe this little guy's your brother," Steve said out of breath and patted him on the head.

            "Me either," Olivia sighed. The trio made their way back to the living room, where Mike was pacing back and forth and Lucas was sweeping up pieces of glass.

            "Mike, would you just stop already?" He asked.

            "You weren't in there okay Lucas? The lab is swarming with hundreds of those dogs!" Mike raved.

            "Demo-dogs!" Dustin shouted, who was behind Olivia. Olivia rolled her eyes, and went over to stand beside Mike.

            "Mike, I know this is hard for you. I'm worried about her just as much as you are," Olivia comforted him. "But as I said before, she's strong. And Hopper will be there to take care of her."

            "Like she needs protection," Max mumbled.

             Steve walked up to the group. "Listen dude, a coach calls a play in a game, bottom line, you execute it. Alright?" He explained. Olivia tilted her head at him, trying to understand what he meant.

            "Okay, first of all, this isn't some stupid sports game. And second, we're not even in the game, we're on the bench." Mike spoke, and looked at Olivia for help.

            "Mike's right," Olivia chipped in.

            "Right, so my point is," Steve stammered and paused, trying to think of something to say. The kids stared at him while he tried to finish his thought. Olivia walked over him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Steve gazed at her for a second, and shifted his focus back on the kids. "Right, yeah. We're on the bench, so, uh, there's nothing we can do."

            "That's not entirely true," Dustin pointed out, catching everyone's attention. "I mean, these Demo-dogs, they have a hive mind. When they ran away from the bus, they were called away."

            "So if we get there attention," Lucas suggested.

            "Maybe we can draw them away from the lab," Max added in.

            Mike's eyes grew bigger. "And clear a path to the gate."

            "Yeah, and then we all die!" Steve blurted.

            "That's one point of view," Dustin argued.

            Steve looked passed Olivia at Dustin. "No that's not a point of view man, that's a fact."

            "He does have a point, Dusty," Olivia sided with Steve.

            "I got it!" Mike said suddenly, gently pushing Olivia to the side which accidentally made her lean into Steve's side. "Sorry Liv," The raven haired boy mumbled sweetly and walked to the kitchen, examining the impressive map Will had drawn. He pointed to a red X on the kitchen fridge. "This is where the chief dug his hole, this is our way into the tunnel, so..." Then he made his way over to the hallway, standing on the spot where all of the pathways seemed to connect. "Here. Right here, this is like a hub. So you got all the tunnels feeding in here," He gestured and kneeled down. "Maybe if we set this on fire..."

            "Oh, yeah? That's a no." Steve interrupted. The kids ignored him and crowded around Mike, who continued to speak in a rush of words. Olivia stood beside Steve and put a hand over her mouth to cover her laugh as he continued to try to get their attention.

            "Hey! Hey! Hey!" Steve clapped his hands then put them on his hips. He raised his voice which finally grabbed the kids attention. "This is not happening." He ordered.

            "But-" Mike protests.

            "No, no, no, no. No buts! Me and Olivia promised we'd keep you shitheads safe and that's exactly what we plan on doing. We're staying here, on the bench and we're waiting for the starting team to do their job. Does everyone understand that?"

            "This isn't a stupid sports game!" Mike spouted and shifted his eyes to Olivia. "Liv please-"

            Steve cut him off. "I said does everyone understand that?" He repeated more sternly. "Now, I know Olivia is all of you kids favorite babysitter, but I'm here too now. I need a yes." Olivia gave Mike an apologetic look, knowing how Mike was feeling. Yes, she wanted to help more than anything, but she also needed to stay here and keep the kids safe. She promised Nancy she would protect Mike.

            "Yes, mom and dad," Max teased, but had a small smile on her face. Olivia and Steve both blushed, however their moment was interrupted by a low engine roaring from outside. Max rushed over to peek out the window. "It's my brother," She spoke. "H-he can't know I'm here, he'll kill me. He'll kill us." She panicked, turning towards Lucas.

            Olivia and Steve shared a concerned look for the girl. "Alright, you guys stay here and hide." He instructed. "I'll deal with him."

            "Let me come with you," Olivia grabbed his hand to stop him from going.

            His face softened. "No, no absolutely not. You're staying here with the kids. I don't want you anywhere near Billy."

            "Steve, I'm coming, and that's that." Olivia insisted. Steve sighed, and finally let her follow him outside, as long as she was behind him.

            And there stood Billy with that classic smirk of his, leaning against his blue Chevrolet Camaro and lighting up a cigarette.