Chapter Text
Apparently, the process of appointing Joyce as head of the new department was taking longer than they thought.
She was in the midst of training, which meant many hours of physical training, and many more hours of paperwork.
Hopper didn’t mind waiting, reminding her that all good things take time. But to be honest he couldn’t wait to do this with her, couldn’t wait for them to face the world together.
The kids seem to be the most excited.
“So you’re going to be like a real life superhero!”
Will exclaimed from across the dinner table the night that they had shared the news.
His remark made her heart beat faster.
“Superhero.”
On her right, El’s big brown eyes beamed at her.
Joyce found herself blushing under her children’s praises. The smile she offered them was bright and filled with gratitude.
“Did you tell Jonathan?” Will asked as he poured himself seconds from the mashed potatoes.
“Not yet honey, I want to tell him face to face. He said he’ll try visiting next weekend.”
Having immensely grown of the idea herself, she couldn’t wait to tell her eldest son her latest career change, hoping he’ll be on board, and maybe even proud.
“Well, we’re really happy for you Mom. Would be kinda nice having a superhero sister and a superhero mother.”
She felt her eyes moisten at her son’s repeating nickname. The part of her that could never forgive herself ever since the day he disappeared now slowly healing itself.
“Now wait a minute, I’m a cop too; how come I’m not a superhero?”
Hopper’s fake-jealous comment was met with three smirks.
El was the first to break the silence. “This has nothing to do with being a cop. Mom already is a superhero. Now it will just be official.”
El’s words made his heart swell, and he couldn’t keep his jealous act, looking over at Joyce, smiling at her proudly.
“That she is kid.”
He grasped her hand, lifting it and kissing her knuckles lightly. She gave him her best smile, eyes shining and cheeks warming.
“That she is.”
-
As for work, she was still at Melvald’s.
She and Hopper agreed that she’d stay at her old job until she finished her training.
Of course she still to tell Donald that.
She mulled over that thought as she stacked the back shelves, waiting eagerly for her break, until she heard the front door bell ring.
“Be there in just a sec!”
She called and walked back to the register. The hopeful part of her wished it would be Hopper coming to visit her during his daily patrol. Her other, more rational part just hoped that whoever is was would be quick so she could help them and take her lunch break on time.
Unfortunately, instead the inviting smile of her loving husband, she was met with the slimy smirk of Lonnie Byers.
-
Hopper looked at the school’s doors, throwing and stubbing his cigarette on the ground with his foot as he waited.
He decided to pick up the kids and to surprise Joyce at work, hoping to steal her for a family lunch at the local diner.
Just as he was about to check his watch again, the doors opened, a stream of running kids rushing out.
Waving his hand above his head, Hopper caught Will’s eye, he and El started making their way to him.
“Hop? Is everything okay?”
Will asked as they reached him, and Hopper hated the sound of alarm that his voice came out in.
To say the Upside-Down changed Will was a given and an understatement.
It seemed like he was always on edge ever since everything that happened over the last few years, and understandably so, if you ask Hopper.
“Yeah kid everything’s fine. Just thought I could whisk you guys away from your afternoon shenanigans and go surprise your mom at work. Maybe convince her to have lunch at the diner.”
He smiled as Will visibly relaxed and beamed at the suggestion.
The kids exchanged a brief glace before grinning and bobbing their heads with noted excitement.
“Great! Let’s roll!”
-
“Hey babe.”
She placed herself behind the counter, Lonnie’s confident and slurring tone never failing at sending a chill down her spine.
“What do you want Lonnie?”
She tried to keep her voice as steady as she could, never wanting to give him the pleasure of knowing just how much he affected her. She mustered up all of her confidence and crossed her hands over her chest, glaring back at him.
His smug smile only angered her more.
“You know, the thing about this shithole of the town, is that rumors here tend to spread pretty quick.”
Ignoring her question completely, he locked eyes with her, slowly walking to the register.
Dread now crept at her, making her stomach sink. She didn’t like where this was going.
“You know I have to say, that when I heard about you and the dead man walking, I wasn’t even that surprised.”
She rolled her eyes at him. He was always jealous of Hopper, ever since high school.
Rightfully so, as it turned out.
“But to hear that my wife, was going to be some bigshot cop? Now that I didn’t expect. Tell me, how many times did you have to blow Hopper for him to agree to this bullshit?” he leered at her, voice dripping with disrespect.
Her anger at him, pent up over all of their years together, ignited like a fire within her.
“First of all, it’s your ex-wife. And second of all, not that it’s any of your business, but Hop came to me with the idea. Believe it or not, he manages to see me as an equal, a concept very lost on you, I know. So no, I didn’t have to do anything, because I’m finally with a man that believes in me! He believes that I could do some good around here, saving families from people like you!”
She spat out, venom laced in her voice.
She thought she could expect what was coming, maybe a blow, a string of lovely curse words form his never ending vocabulary.
But like always, Lonnie managed to go to new extremes.
This time, he had a gun.
-
Hopper pulled into the parking lot of Melvald’s, putting the car in park and turning to his kids in the back seat.
“Okay, you guys wait back here, I’ll go and canvass the area. Hopefully I can convince her on my own. If not, I might need to bring out the big guns.”
He pointed between them, no doubt referring to their mastered art of puppy dog eyes.
He’ll be damned if he didn’t get to enjoy their skill from time to time.
Two sets of smiles beamed back at him, Will and El nodded their heads back at him, eyes tinged with excitement.
He smiled back and got out of the car making his way to the front door, mentally practicing his speech about family time and the kids will be so excited.
-
“Now if you think, that I’m going to let a bitch like you, to go around town as some washed up cop, telling people things that they don’t need to know about our marriage then-“
Both of their heads turned at the sound of the police blazer pulling up to the store.
She swallowed thickly and allowed herself to feel the slightest twinge of hope. She hated that she always had to be the damsel in distress every time she faced Lonnie.
He drew back his gun, but didn’t put in back in the back of his jeans. Instead he just walked back to the shelves behind the door, where Hopper couldn’t see him, bringing the gun to his lips, singling her to keep quiet.
The slimy grin he gave her made her want to cry.
She knew he would hurt Hopper. Lord knows he already has enough reasons to want to.
She didn’t really have a plan, but she knew she couldn’t let that happen.
So she put on her best fake smile, waiting to greet Hopper from where she stood.
“Hey beautiful.”
Hopper smiled at his wife, walking over to where she was standing behind the counter.
He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers, only meaning for it to be a quick hello peck, but she grasped his face with her small hands, kissing him deeply.
He, of course, never one to complain, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.
Eventually, the need for air broke them apart.
“Hey.” She exhaled breathlessly as he lovingly tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
She smiled brightly at him, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“What can I do for you Chief?”
She asked as he unfortunately put some distance between them. Behind him, she could see Lonnie roll his eyes.
Don’t look over there.
Hopper will notice. Just look at him. And smile.
Luckily, he didn’t notice, instead he reached between them, taking her hand in his.
She seemed distant, somehow.
“Well it’s actually something that I can do for you, this time.”
He smiled at the confusion that colored her eyes, and went on.
“I have two very excited pre-teens in the back of my car and I need their mother to come have lunch with us at the diner. Ya know, for family time.”
If there’s one thing about Joyce that he will never tire of (as if he could ever tire from anything that has to do with her), it’s the way her face brightens at the mention of their kids, their family.
This time though, he watched as her face come alive with light, but the light quickly faded.
Drawing her hand back from his, she busied herself with stacking the papers on the counter, not meeting his eyes
“I’m sorry babe, I wish I could. But I’m alone here today and I have a bunch of restocking to do. I was going to eat my lunch at the back real quick and get back to it. Let’s raincheck, but you go on without me this time.”
She was about to go and put the papers on the shelves behind her, when he stopped her with a hand on her arm.
“Is everything okay?”
Blue eyes bore insistently into hers, concern reflecting back to her.
She forgot that he could read her like an open book. She hoped he wouldn’t be able to this time.
Suppressing down the anxiety gnawing at her, she smiled at him again, trying her at making it reach her eyes.
“Yeah honey of course, just a long day.” She reassured him, hand placed over his.
Unconvinced, he looked back into her eyes, still searching for any sigh that she was lying.
She reached her other hand up to cup his cheek, thumb caressing his upper lip.
“I’m fine. Really. “
She reached up to peck his lips gently.
Pulling back, she watched as he watched her again. She was growing weary of having Lonnie behind him with a weapon.
“Now go, wouldn't want to keep those kids waiting.”
Her smile seemed to have finally convince him. He nodded solemnly, visibly disappointed.
He doubted even the kids’ master skills could help this time.
He kissed her again, a short little thing, a have a good day-see you at home kiss, but the situation dawned at her, and suddenly she wasn’t ready for the kiss to end.
Not wanting to raise his suspicion, she anchored him to her with the hand on his cheek, but only for a few seconds more.
Pulling back completely, he gave her arm a finale squeeze, and headed for the door.
“Bye baby. See you at home.”
I really hope you will.
Reality seemed to hit her like a ton of bricks, and she felt her eyes sting with tears.
Suddenly she prayed that he could still see right through her. That he could see she wasn’t herself and that he’ll find a way to help her.
That he would be her knight in shining armor.
With every spark of hope within her, came a shuddering fear that he wouldn’t notice anything; that she had hidden it too well.
It broke her heart to consider this the last time she ever saw him.
She had to make him question something, she had to make it click in his head that something was up.
She was grasping at straws at this point.
Blurting out the first thing that came to her mind, she prayed he would read between the lines.
“Bye. I love you. Remind Will to feed his fish when you get home. Don’t let them die.”
Don’t let me die.
His brows furrowed slightly, but he kept smiling, the insinuation flying over his head.
“Okay. I love you too.”
Her heart sank as she waved back at him while he pushed the door open.
Get a clue Hop.
Please.
-
Hopper let the door close behind him, walking back to the car.
He hated having to disappoint the kids. But she must really be busy at work so he couldn’t blame her.
Except she really did seem off.
He shook himself at the thought, he was probably worrying too much.
He tried to tame the worry flaring within him as he reached the car, opening the back door.
“No luck this time. Looks like it’s just us.”
He watched sadly as their faces fell.
“Do you want us to go and try? El really did master the puppy dog eye thing, she’s even better at it than me!” he pointed at her, and she nodded her head, smiling proudly.
“I think it’s a bust this time kiddo.” He hated to be the one to cause his daughter’s smile to fade.
“Tell you what, let’s drive through McDonald's, bring home something good for your mom maybe?”
He asked and climbed into the driver’s seat, buckling his seatbelt.
That pulled a smile from the kids, so he called it a win.
“ ’sides, probably need to get home soon to feed those fish ,right?”
He looked at Will in the rear view mirror, putting his key in the ignition.
He was met with Will’s confused expression.
“What fish?”
-
He never thought a simple question could leave him this breathless.
Hopper stared back at Will in sock.
The gears in his head started spinning, every detail that stood out to him in the store falling together like pieces of a puzzle.
She didn’t seem like herself, and she tried telling him something, but not out right; she must’ve hoped he’ll read between the lines.
He looked over at the store, trying to find any sighs that something was really wrong, and that he wasn’t just over reacting. The panic started to bubble in him, air wasn’t reaching his lungs the way it was supposed to.
He scanned the parked cars outside, and the ones down the street.
That’s when he saw it.
Just up ahead, parked far enough not to be spotted immediately.
Lonnie’s car.
“Son of a bitch!”
His voice must’ve startled Will and El, both of then eyeing him from the backseat as he took out his key, getting out of the car.
“Stay here!”
He pointed at them and started running back to the store, not bothering to check behind him if they listened.
He burst through the door, hand automatically going to his gun, still holstered on his belt.
She wasn’t there.
His stomach dropped, fear griping him like a vice.
“Joyce?”
He drew his gun, calling her name as he started to walk carefully into the store.
He scanned the aisles, one by one.
No Joyce.
Nothing.
“Joyce?!” He called again, frantic, panic running through him.
He stopped briefly at the break room, finding it empty.
No. Please god no.
He couldn’t lose her again. What would he do without her?
Every possible scenario raced through his mind. He leaned against the wall, trying to calm his breathing.
He had to find her.
A sound from outside brought him back to reality.
Raising his gun once more, he hurried and pushed through the back door.
He wished he had El’s powers.
When he saw Lonnie with his arm around her shoulders, holding her back to him, pointing a gun at her temple with the other, he wished he was able to send him flying into a brick wall.
“Let go of me, you ass!”
He saw her fight back, struggling against his grip, clawing at the arm that held her.
“Byers!”
His voice boomed in the empty parking lot.
Hopper climbed slowly down the stairs with his gun pointed at Lonnie.
”You have five seconds to let her go, or so help me god—“
“Or you’ll what?”
Lonnie sneered at him, clearly pleased with himself.
“We both know you won’t do shit. Not with me holding such precious cargo.”
He leaned into Joyce, the alcohol in his breath evading her nose, making her struggle harder.
“Joyce, look at me.” He begged.
She locked eyes with him, and the fear he saw in him tore him apart.
He felt like he failed her.
“It’s going to be okay. Okay? I promise.”
She managed the slightest nod, before Lonnie’s grip tightened on her.
“Aww isn’t this romantic? Feels like a scene one of those kids’ movies. This is probably the part were the audience is at the edge of their seats- waiting for the brave knight to slay the dragon and save the princess.”
Lonnie kept babbling, slightly slurring his words. Clearly drunk.
What else was new.
She never stopped struggling in his hold, eyes still locked with Hopper’s.
Even now, he made her feel like she was going to be okay. She trusted him with her life.
“Well guess what Hop?”
Lonnie mocked, his voice rising.
“This ain’t no fucking fairytale.”
Joyce flinched and closed her eyes as he pressed the gun harder into her temple, the cold metal digging into her skin.
Hopper always knew he could take Lonnie out, and Lonnie being drunk was in his favor.
He knew Joyce could take him out too, but they needed to be quick.
He just hoped she could read between the lines too.
Taking timid steps towards them, he raised his gun, and spoke softly to her.
“Joy.”
He watched as her wide- panic ridden eyes flickered back to his.
“You remember a couple of weeks ago? We went dancing and I dipped you so low I had to duck?”
He started carefully, knowing she must be scared, trying his best to calm her.
“What is this?! Nostalgia 101?! Shut up!”
Lonnie’s loud voice echoed across the empty parking lot.
He was getting impatient.
Something between hope and desperation filled Hopper and he kept at it, trying to keep his voice steady.
“And you accidently kneed me in the ribs? Remember?”
He let out a small chuckle, wanting to sell his performance as best as he could.
Realization slowly dawned at her, he watched her swallow and give him the faintest nod.
They did go out a few weeks ago, but it wasn’t to dance. He had taken her to her first ever combat training session, where the instructor greeted her with a warm smile and a firm handshake. For the most part, she got her ass handed to her- seeing as she was still new to this. Later, they shuffled slowly back into the house, her arm around Hopper’s shoulder and him practically carrying half of her weight. She was pissed because she was sore as hell.
But he never stopped praising her.
He told her he knows how hard it is at first, and how good she did for a beginner- and how he was so proud of her for never giving up, for always standing back up whenever she fell down. They spent the rest of that evening on the coach, watching random movies as he kissed and massaged her aching muscles.
If he had anything, it was faith in her.
She knew what he was asking her to do.
She remembered the move that the instructor showed her, the one Hopper was trying to tell her about.
Being a cop for as long as he has, she knows and trusts the plan he has.
Still she can’t help herself.
The anxiety that has always resided seemed to wake up and flash through her mind.
What if this doesn’t work? What if this is how I die?
She pushed it down, her eyes brimming with tears.
Lonnie yelled again, clearly not appreciating this trip down memory lane.
“Hey I won’t say it again! Shut the fuck up!”
He waved his gun, until finally aiming it at Hopper.
She saw her opportunity.
She took a deep shaky breath and threw one last quick glance his way.
I love you.
He nodded back at her, eyes soft but confident.
I love you too.
As if in slow-motion, Hopper watched as she ducked and elbowed Lonnie as hard as she could in the ribs.
She struck him once, twice, until she could twist and free herself from his grip.
Without a second thought, Hopper straightened and aimed his gun at Lonnie.
The other man stood up straight, the gun aimed and shaking in his hand.
A loud shot filled the silence as a body dropped.
-
As soon as he saw Joyce safe and away from Lonnie, he pulled the trigger.
The bullet hit Lonnie square in the shoulder, making him fall to his knees and then on the ground, clutching his shoulder, twisting and shouting in pain.
They didn’t waste any time.
“Joy!”
“Hop!”
They crashed into each other, hands fumbling and arms wrapping around one another.
“I knew you’d come back.”
He felt her mumble against his chest, and exhaled in relief.
Her arms came to wrap firmly around his waist. He turned them so his back was to Lonnie where he lied in pain, and secured her to him with one arm, the one not holding the gun, his head came to rest atop of hers.
His throat was still too tight to form a response, so he just pressed a kiss to the crown of her head.
He finally felt like he could breathe.
She looked up at him and he moved the arm that was around her and softly cupped her cheek, eyes scanning her for any bruises or scratches.
He swore to himself that if he saw even the smallest bruise he would make Lonnie regret the day he was born.
"Thank you Hop."
He was about to respond with a romantic-slash-heroic remark and ask if she was hurt, when he saw her glance behind him, panic flashing in her brown eyes.
Before he could ask what’s wrong, she pushed past him, snatching the gun from his other hand, she raised it and pulled the trigger.
He stared in shock as he saw her shoot Lonnie again, gun falling from the his hand and skidding across the concrete.
-
She hit Lonnie in his shoulder again, this time just above his bicep.
He just stared.
He should’ve known by now that she would always be the one to save him.
He realized at some point earlier that Lonnie must’ve stood behind him back at the store, the gun in his hand, and that that’s why Joyce seemed so off.
She must’ve been scared for him. She wanted to keep him safe.
Lonnie was right.
The brave knight did save the princess.
Or in this case, the prince.
He could hear Lonnie curse and whine in the back of his mind, but the only thing that mattered to him was Joyce.
Rushing to her, he stood himself between her and Lonnie’s writhing body, blocking her view of him.
“Joyce.”
He called her but she was transfixed on the sight behind him. Her breathing came out in short pants as she watched with wild, unfocused eyes.
Her eyes fell to the gun in her hand.
“Hey, Joy. Look at me.”
He nudged her again, speaking softly.
She looked at him but it was as if she looked through him. He could feel the fear and stress rolling off of her in waves.
He slowly took the gun from her hand, holstering it back in his belt.
“Love, you did it, it’s over.”
He didn’t wait for her to respond- he just hugged her to him as hard as he could and rubbed her back in slow circles.
“It’s okay, were okay.”
Pulling back, he could see the fog in her mind getting clearer, her breath coming evenly now.
Brown and blue eyes locked on each other.
They both leaned in, inching towards each other, eyes closing—
“Mom!”
“Dad!”
Shit.
He forget for a second that the kids were waiting in the car.
Pulling back and jumping apart, they saw Will and El ran to them, and they moved to meet them halfway.
“Mom, are you okay we-“
“We heard a loud bang and-“
They both talked over each other, nerves getting the better of them.
“Were okay kids. It’s okay.”
Hopper soothed them, arm going around El’s shoulders as Joyce wrapped Will in a tight embrace.
“Were fine sweetie, don’t worry.”
Will pulled back from her arms and his ears perked up at Lonnie’s cries from behind them.
His face twisted in disgust as he looked at the man on the ground, the wheels in his head turning as he tried to fill the blanks of what had happened where he standing only moments ago.
He never held any high regards of Lonnie, but at that moment Will swore he never hated him more.
“Did he try to hurt you? Did- did he hurt you?”
Will stammered, his voice shaking.
“No, no, baby, I told you I’m fine.”
He gave her a disbelieving look that reminded her so much of Hopper and that, mixed with everything that has already happened, made her chest tighten.
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
“He did. He did try but he didn’t succeed. Hopper saved me.”
Hopper glanced at Will at the mention of his name.
She watched as Will’s eyes flickered to Hopper’s- gratitude etched on his face.
He suddenly smiled, surprising them all.
“I had no doubt. Thank you Hop. For always taking care of us.”
Hopper swallowed thickly, not knowing how to answer to that- seeing that she was the one that saved him. Again.
So he just smiled and squeezed his shoulder.
El hugged Joyce tightly, flashing him a bright smile over her shoulder.
“Always, kid. We save each other, it’s what we do.”
His kind eyes met Joyce's as he brought Will into a side embrace.
Just as he was starting to feel the calm after the storm wash over him, Lonnie’s voice came from behind them.
“Sorry to break up the family reunion- Hey Will- but I need some medical attention here!”
Joyce couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
The nerve of that man.
Four sets of eyes flashed towards him, all equally angry.
“Bad man.”
El had a look on her face that Hopper saw before- one that he didn’t like.
She had heard mentions of Will and Jonathan's 'father', but never had to pleasure of meeting him herself.
Until now.
He stepped in front of her, hands on both on her shoulders.
“I got this.”
He promised her with a faint smile, nudging El back into Joyce’s arms.
He took out his radio, giving it to Joyce, asking her to call for a patrol car to take Lonnie back to the station.
It was time he paid for what he did.
Walking back to the man on the ground, he took out his cuffs.
“Don’t worry buddy, there’s some real good medical attention where you’re going.”
He cuffed Lonnie’s hands behind his back, some would say with more force than necessary given his injuries.
Hopper would claim it’s not enough.
-
He instructed the kids to go wait in the car.
Joyce, of course, refused to leave his side, but he didn’t say anything about it, he just laced their fingers together and gave her hand a squeeze.
After the patrol car swerved in the parking lot, Powell in toe, she watched as they shoved Lonnie in the back seat.
The look that he gave her made her skin crawl.
She hated that.
She hated that after everything they went through, after everything she faced, he always made her feel so scared.
“Well Mrs. Hopper, we’ll need to take a statement, and of course after that we’ll start working on that restraining order.”
Powell approached her, pad and pencil in his hand.
Restraining order.
Hopper. He must’ve told Powell that.
Logically, it was the smartest and most affective option, but the meaning of it still scared her.
Before she could say anything, Hopper intervened.
“Actually, we’ll come by the station tomorrow for the statement.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders protectively.
Powell looked back at him and Hopper just shrugged in response.
“Not like Lonnie is going anywhere anytime soon.”
They exchanged one last look before Powell bid them goodbye, getting back in the car and turning away from the parking lot, taking Lonnie with him.
He turned to Joyce, eyes searching hers.
He noticed how she seemed to avoid his eyes and just lifted herself into her tip-toes, arms encircling his neck as she pulled him down, lips eagerly meeting his halfway.
He deepened the kiss, embracing her waist, wanting to be as close to her as he possibly could.
This is the last time Lonnie Byers will ever come near his family ever again.
He would make sure of it.